Post by Linsu on Aug 22, 2004 2:15:35 GMT 10
Search for a new national hero
By DANIEL BRETTIG
19aug04
SINGERS Guy Sebastian, Shannon Noll, Darren Hayes and Delta Goodrem are among the leading nominees for the 2005 Australian of the Year Awards.
But organisers say Ian Thorpe's Athens heroics – just days before the nomination deadline – are sure to give him a chance of taking the award.
"I'm pretty sure we're going to get a few more nominations for Ian because of the Olympics," National Australia Day Council director Warren Pearson said.
"He won Young Australian of the Year in 2000 and, interestingly, the only other person to win that award and the Australian of the Year was Cathy Freeman."
Among the singers, Goodrem has enjoyed a flood of support following her high-profile battle with cancer and runaway musical success at home and in Britain
The 19-year-old star is eligible for both Young Australian (for 16 to 25 year olds) and Australian of the Year.
Mr Pearson said the support for Goodrem had been phenomenal and was part of a rise in performing arts nominations.
"It is amazing to see such a vast number of nominations for one person," he said.
"Certainly, the number of nominations for people in the performing arts is higher this year, something we welcome."
Inaugural Australian Idol winner Guy Sebastian and runner-up Shannon Noll have also received strong support, capping off a year of healthy album sales and public appearances.
Comparative music veteran Darren Hayes has appeared on the list, nominators citing his past success with Savage Garden and his performance of Lost Without You for Delta Goodrem at the 2004 ARIA Awards.
Other nominees include Glen Sargeant, principal of Plumpton High School in New South Wales, which has a program allowing pregnant students to complete their education, and SA wildlife carer Aaron Machado.
Mr Pearson said he wanted to remind the public that nominees do not have to be celebrities.
"There are many Australians who deserve to be recognised and I encourage everyone to get their nominations in quickly," he said.
Nominations for the awards close on Friday.
By DANIEL BRETTIG
19aug04
SINGERS Guy Sebastian, Shannon Noll, Darren Hayes and Delta Goodrem are among the leading nominees for the 2005 Australian of the Year Awards.
But organisers say Ian Thorpe's Athens heroics – just days before the nomination deadline – are sure to give him a chance of taking the award.
"I'm pretty sure we're going to get a few more nominations for Ian because of the Olympics," National Australia Day Council director Warren Pearson said.
"He won Young Australian of the Year in 2000 and, interestingly, the only other person to win that award and the Australian of the Year was Cathy Freeman."
Among the singers, Goodrem has enjoyed a flood of support following her high-profile battle with cancer and runaway musical success at home and in Britain
The 19-year-old star is eligible for both Young Australian (for 16 to 25 year olds) and Australian of the Year.
Mr Pearson said the support for Goodrem had been phenomenal and was part of a rise in performing arts nominations.
"It is amazing to see such a vast number of nominations for one person," he said.
"Certainly, the number of nominations for people in the performing arts is higher this year, something we welcome."
Inaugural Australian Idol winner Guy Sebastian and runner-up Shannon Noll have also received strong support, capping off a year of healthy album sales and public appearances.
Comparative music veteran Darren Hayes has appeared on the list, nominators citing his past success with Savage Garden and his performance of Lost Without You for Delta Goodrem at the 2004 ARIA Awards.
Other nominees include Glen Sargeant, principal of Plumpton High School in New South Wales, which has a program allowing pregnant students to complete their education, and SA wildlife carer Aaron Machado.
Mr Pearson said he wanted to remind the public that nominees do not have to be celebrities.
"There are many Australians who deserve to be recognised and I encourage everyone to get their nominations in quickly," he said.
Nominations for the awards close on Friday.
I received this letter on Monday 
