Awesome Achievers

12 February - 24 March 2016

Awesome Achievers presents a selection of Australian of the Year recipients from diverse fields of endeavor: 28 recipients from a field of 60 are presented in eight thematic groupings. The exhibition brings to life the complex and shifting notions of national identity that are challenged in the portrait of each person. The portraits were made at different stages in the sitters’ lives, encompassing a range of artistic media and a diversity of styles, capturing unique and often emotionally powerful aspects of these distinctive individuals.

Inaugurated on Australia Day 1960, the Australian of the Year Awards recognise outstanding achievements and provide a portrait of the nation’s changing sense of identity. Achievers in sport, the arts, medical and scientific leadership and social campaigners, Aboriginal activists, soldiers, even politicians, bureaucrats and the clergy have been honoured.

Yet the awards have courted controversy. Originally an initiative of the Victorian Australia Day Council, by 1975 a rival organisation in Canberra, backed by then Prime Minister Gough Whitlam, presented their inaugural Australian of the Year Award. This was resolved with the establishment of the National Australia Day Council in 1979.

Australia Day is also controversial for many Indigenous Australians, and the announcement of Australian of the Year on the anniversary of the raising of the British flag, following the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788, remains deeply problematic. Many regard Australia Day as ‘Invasion Day’ or ‘Survival Day’, a reminder that reconciliation is yet to be fully achieved. Nominations by fellow Australians and recognition as an inspirational leader in Australia unite the recipients of this national award.

The exhibition has been divided into 8 key themes: All the worlds stage…Dame Joan Sutherland, Bright Sparks of early sporting fame… Dawn Fraser, Shane Gould, Cathy Freeman, Our Tallest Poppies…Patrick white, Peter Doherty, Resilience!  Indigenous leadership…Galarrwuy, Adam Goodes, Top of the Pops… The seekers, John Farnham, Lifelines: medical health advocates.. Fred Hollows, Dr Fiona Wood, A magnificent rivalry: Australia’s Americas Cup challenges ..Alan Bond, Cut and Thrust: environmental activist…Harry Butler, Tim Flannery

Click here for further information on the Awesome Achievers, including the cross-curriculum educational resource

Awesome Achievers is a National Portrait Gallery Touring Exhibition.

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