Neuroscientist Lyn Beazley has been named Western Australia’s Australian of the Year.
Professor Beazley has spent more than 30 years in the field of neuroscience, researching brain damage recovery and changing clinical practice in the treatment of infants at risk from pre-term delivery.
She was also WA’s chief scientist from 2006 to 2013, advising the State Government on science, innovation and technology.
She helped set up a nationwide hotline for laboratory technicians in schools, worked for healthier waterways across the state by establishing Dolphin Watch, and was involved in the negotiations for the Square Kilometre Array, a radio telescope project.
WA’s Senior Australian of the Year is Graham Mabury, OAM, who established Lifeline in WA, a 24-hour counselling service used by people in need.
Meanwhile, Drisana Levitzke-Gray, 21 has been named WA’s Young Australian of the Year.
Born with moderate hearing loss into a family with deaf parents, a deaf brother and a deaf extended family, Drisana has been an advocate for the deaf community.
WA’s Local Hero is Stacy Dunbar, awarded for her work as a road safety campaigner.
In January 2013, Stacy’s eight-month-old son, Nate, was killed after a drunk driver crashed through his bedroom while he was asleep in his cot.
In the aftermath of the accident, Ms Dunbar launched a campaign to stop people from getting behind the wheel when drunk.
The WA award recipients are finalists in the national awards to be announced in Canberra on January 25.