A veterans’ advocate, a mother campaigning for vaccination and a nurse who has been on the front line fighting Ebola are among the Western Australian finalists for Australian of the Year.
Anne Carey, 57, from Esperance, was one of four West Australians vying for the honour of West Australian of the Year announced on Sunday in Perth.
She has spent her life helping others including volunteering in Darfur and Papua New Guinea.
But most recently, she has been on the front line in Sierra Leone to help in the fight against the deadly Ebola virus.
The world, she said, was very slow in responding and she wanted to be part of the solution, not just a bystander at home.
“I was the head nurse in the Ebola treatment centre and we helped people who came quite late in their illness,” she said.
“They were afraid, so we had to do a lot of education around it.”
Ms Carey said it had always been the highest privilege to help people.
“I think it’s important to show kindness to people and not be afraid to say yes,” she said.
“I think sometimes we forget the word courage is so important, it doesn’t mean we’re not afraid.”
Veterans’ advocate the Hon Graham Edwards, 69, was awarded the state’s Senior Australian of the Year.
Mr Edwards, who was hit by an exploding mine while he served in Vietnam and had both legs amputated, has spent his career vehemently campaigning for veterans’ rights.
“I saw what happened to my father when I was a young bloke after he had been knocked around during World War II,” he said.
“I know some of the difficulties I confronted.
“While I think we probably have of the best systems of repatriation and support for returning veterans, there are still a lot of cracks and there are still a lot of people who fall through them.”
Mr Edwards acknowledged that not all veterans’ wounds were visible.
“My own wounds were visible, people could see them,” he said.
“I always felt strongly that those who didn’t have visible wounds, perhaps mental health issues … they weren’t recognised and they were doubted.
“The RSL has a continuing role to fight for the improved benefits for those who are still serving … and for those who have served.”
Western Australia’s 2016 Young Australian of the Year was awarded to Catherine Hughes, 28, from Claremont.
Mrs Hughes’ one-month-old child Riley died from whooping cough earlier this year.
He was too young to be immunised against the deadly respiratory bacteria and since then she has become an active campaigner for vaccination.
Mrs Hughes said she had spent the last few months travelling around the country with her family to share her message.
“Everything that we do is to honour Riley and we promised him as he lay dying that we would do what we can to ensure this doesn’t happen to another family,” she said.
“We believe strongly that it can be prevented and that no more Australian children can die from these diseases.”
Western Australia’s Local Hero award went to Stephen Langford for his work as a flying doctor.
The recipients will go on to represent the state at the Australian of the Year awards in January.