I am always in awe of the choice of Australian Of The Year.  They are often people who crusade for causes and issues relevant to all Australians.  Not always the ‘glamour’ causes but those that affect so many of us in many and indirect ways. I am not dismissing breast cancer, genetic research etc but I feel that there is already so much awareness and funding for these causes.

This year’s Australian Of The Year is Professor Patrick McGorry a pyschiatrist who campaigns for the mental health of detainees in our detention centres and also for the mental health of young Australians.  Psychiatry in general is poorly funded in our hospitals but there the resources for adolescent mental health are even more deficient.  I hope the recognition of Professor McGorry will help increase awareness and acceptance of mental illness.