Argent nominated for Australian of the Year

Parents and Friends of Gays & Lesbians (PFLAG) spokeswoman Shelley Argent (pictured) has been named as a candidate for the 2011 Australian of the Year awards.

The National Australia Day Council (NADC) received more than 1600 nominations for the four categories — Australian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year and Australian Local Hero — before the August 31 deadline.
Argent said she was surprised to learn she had been nominated.

“It’s a humbling honour but I very much appreciate that people have taken the time to submit a nomination for me and the work that PFLAG does,” Argent said.

“After all, what I do is the tip of the iceberg and if it makes a difference, then that’s the most important thing.”

“Being nominated shows that people appreciate what I do and what the organisation does and that we are indeed making a difference.”

In announcing her nomination, the NADC noted Argent’s decades-long advocacy on behalf of gay and lesbian people, taking that message to Australia’s human rights commissions and to the highest levels of Government as part of the 2020 Summit.

The Australian of the Year awards winners’ names will be released on Australia Day, January 26, 2011.