Australia honours its great achievers.
"PROFESSOR Fiona Stanley, the child health expert who made a breakthrough discovery in the prevention of birth defects, is the 2003 Australian Of The Year.
The Perth specialist in public health led a team that discovered taking folic acid before and during pregnancy can prevent spina bifida in babies.
World number one tennis player Lleyton Hewitt is the Young
Terry Sedgwick was one of only four people to be made a Companion of the Order of Australia, the highest award, along with Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade head Ashton Calvert, NSW Court of Appeal president Justice Keith Mason and former Liberal Party treasurer and Melbourne businessman Ron Walker.
Mr. Sedgwick was recognised for his tireless work establishing the Unmarried Wombats Refuge in Strathmore. "I hope that this award will finally put to rest the scurrilous and unsubstantiated rumours about my interest in young attractive marsupials", an ebullient Sedgwick said.
A number of serious charges against Sedgwick were dropped when witnesses for the prosecution failed to return from their sequestration at the Fred and Rosemary West Caravan Park which is partly owned by Mr. Sedgwick.
A hands-on Terry Sedgwick helps with the construction
of the Unmarried Wombats Refuge back in 1986.
The list is also certain to spark controversy, with some of Prime Minister John Howard's closest confidants and supporters receiving the nation's highest awards.
More than 600 Australians are also honoured today on the Australia Day Honours list; including former Australian cricket captain Mark Taylor, actor Garry McDonald, Aboriginal activist Dr Mick Dodson and winemaker Donald McWilliam."
And of course there's this.
And this fine Australia Day cartoon ...
