Australian of the Year

[jean2579]

I don't feel comfortable with the 2014 Australian of the Year, Mr. Goode. I just can't help feeling that if he could not handle the rudeness and bad manners of a 13 year old girl without crucifying her on most forms of social media to make a political point of his own, however justified is  concerning. I wonder how he will handle interjections and comments he finds offensive during his term of office.

[i-need-a-martini]

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@**snakes_alive** wrote:

explain to me how a sports person is australian of the year..
not only did he behave like a real knob during the match when a young girl called out a thoughtless name - like hundreds of others do while matches are playing - watch the footage he pointed her out and told them to remove her - yep real manly behaviour we want others to emulate.
so he works with aborigionals - i work with whites does that put me in the running - nope - so that should not be a consideration
in my opinion he is just a sports person nothing note worthy
what about our firies? our police? what about the rescue personel that put their own lives on hold and in danger to help others. ANY of these are more worthy than some footy player prticuarly who cried because a child bullied him during a match.

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The Australian of the Year is meant to be am eminent Australian, a public figure.

From their own website: leading citizens who are role models for us all. They inspire us through their achievements and challenge us to make our own contribution to creating a better Australia.

Seems to me that Goodes (as opposed to various other people who have won in the past) fits right into that mould.

[i-need-a-martini]

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@*pepe wrote:

she called him ape because he has a beard, not because he is aboriginal, that was established at the time.

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It was never established. But whatever her understanding she now knows, and her family now know, that calling an indigenous man an ape is one of the most offensive things anyone could call them.

And for those Australians who somehow managed to miss that little bit of world and Australian history, they also now know better.

[lurker17260]

I was wondering how this choice would go down here.
I just listened, on ABC radio, to an interview with Goodes by Alex Sloane (someone clever than me may be able to find it). I didn't really know much about him before, other than the media trumpeting earlier in the year, but now I think he's a great choice.

[**snakes_alive**]

 no you are right, from my few posts you know me and what i am and am not aware of.
so you believe a person regardless of race deserves such a prestigious award when he behaved like a teen with PMS because he was called a name.. that is what you want your kids to aspire to yes??
I can think of many more deserving starting with those out here at this time last year saving lives.

[**snakes_alive**]

leading citizens who are role models for us all.


really you think he fits this description - what a joke.
i spose if chopper was alive he could have been goodes competition for the award

[i-need-a-martini]

From your post I know that you do not know the type of Australians eligible for the category of Australian of the Year. That is all I was alluding to.

Your other comments on Goode are bordering on racist and I won't bother to even acknowledge them.

But regardless, who would you suggest for Australian of the Year?

[freddie*rooster]

My suggestion would be someone who isn't being paid copious amount of money to play a sport or to do their employment.

Australian of the year should be a person who gains recognition for their selfess acts to the Community on a volunteer basis.

[i-need-a-martini]

But we already have other awards for these people.

This award is very specific. As those other awards are.

[freddie*rooster]

Martini, i'm not in agreeance with people receiving awards such as Australian of the year who are being paid to do a specific job being rewarded, I am however all for those many people who work tirelessly for their Community on a voluntary basis being acknowledged. Those who take in children from disfunctional families and care for them, there are so many wonderful generous caring people out there who really are Australians of the Year.

[freakiness]

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@freddie*rooster wrote:

Martini, i'm not in agreeance with people receiving awards such as Australian of the year who are being paid to do a specific job being rewarded, I am however all for those many people who work tirelessly for their Community on a voluntary basis being acknowledged. Those who take in children from disfunctional families and care for them, there are so many wonderful generous caring people out there who really are Australians of the Year.

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That's what the local awards cover.  All those community heroes are not forgotten.

Most of the major nominees go over and above what they get paid for to earn their nomination.  Anyone can nominate someone.