Australian of the Year: Nominations for 2027 close Friday | The Canberra Times

Heather Reid has spent her entire working life trying to get to the bottom of problems to help others, but there’s still one mystery she can’t solve.

Almost 12 months after she was named a Senior Australian of the Year finalist, the women’s sports pioneer can’t figure out who nominated her.

That’s why being recognized was so unexpected and satisfying. Because someone thought Reid’s work against sexism, misogyny, homophobia and racism in football deserved to put him on the national stage.

And now Reid, the first female chief executive of a state football association in Australia and a pioneer of the women’s World Cup, is urging others to recognize people doing great things.

There are Australians doing wonders in every community, whether they are everyday heroes, pioneers of women in sport, or doctors doing groundbreaking research that will help thousands of people. things worth celebrating. Nomination applications end on Friday.

Reid used his time to continue the work he did when he was managing director of Capital Football in Canberra and a board member of Football Australia.

Although the ACT candidate did not win the national award, he was grateful to see NSW Professor Henry Brodaty eventually receive the Senior Australian of the Year award for his pioneering work in dementia care.

Reid urged people not to miss the opportunity to nominate candidates for the 2027 ceremony before midnight this Friday.

“This is an opportunity for amazing Australians doing incredible things to celebrate, as well as the best of what it means to be Australian,” he said.

“I don’t think the Australian of the Year award is just for that year, it’s a position of ongoing responsibility and one that brings great respect and admiration.

“I’ve stopped writing down the list of people who have written to me to congratulate me. Nominations are very important and I’ve nominated someone for next year as well.

“Nominate someone who inspires you and lifts up a community with the incredible things they do.”

Reid played a key role in establishing the Australian National University Women’s Football Club in 1978, the ACT Women’s Football Association a year later and A-League Women’s club Canberra United in 2008.

She was the first female chief executive of Capital Football, served on the board of Football Australia and continues to support and mentor domestic and international players, coaches and administrators.

“The four days I spent in Canberra in January for the Australian of the Year award were hugely impressive in terms of the things we were invited to attend, whether it was the meeting with the Governor-General, the Prime Minister, or the wonderful unveiling at the War Memorial,” Reid said.

“I will always be one of the Australian of the Year graduates and I have forged some wonderful friendships and connections.

“I’m really pleased that Henry Brodaty has been awarded the grand prize because his work on dementia and at the research institute means he can affect change.

“Of all the other honors I’ve had, this really was the icing on the cake and came as a complete surprise.

“This has given me a little more freedom to be bolder and courageous in calling out things like discrimination that we continue to see in our sport, especially misogyny.

“We must make sport a safer and more inclusive place for everyone.”