Queensland Senior Australian of the Year has been awarded to social worker and scholar Dr Bronwyn Herbert.
Herbert completed a Bachelor of Social Work at 40 and then finished her master’s at 61. She was then awarded her PhD at 90 and says that she was “delighted” and “very surprised” to be named as the state’s Senior Australian of the Year for 2024.
During her time as a social worker, she saw many children who experienced homelessness become homeless again as adults.
Herbert wanted to know why and retired at the age of 81 to have enough time to study for her thesis.
Today, at 91, she has actively contributed to a better understanding of homelessness and how to break the cycle and says she would like to feel her work had helped people create “positive changes in their lives”.
Indigenous scientist hopes to give back to remote communities
Scientist Katrina Wruck was awarded Queensland Young Australian of the Year.
The 30-year-old, a proud Mabuigilaig and Goemulgal woman, is using her research in chemistry to give back to remote communities.
Her research focuses on creating new materials to address contaminants in water while using sustainable and green solutions. It has led her to set up a profit-for-purpose business that aims to change the consumer goods sector by using green chemistry.
Wruck says that, after repeatedly being told she “couldn’t do it” throughout her life, receiving the award was “wild”.
“I’d like to thank those people who said that I couldn’t do it because you were a really big driving force in me doing it,” she says.
The scientist has been a long-time advocate for First Nations knowledge and regularly participates in community engagement programs.
Students she meets frequently tell her she’s the first Indigenous scientist they’ve met.
“[I’m showing them (First Nations people) that they can do it because I did it if I can do it, they can do it,” she says.
The Queensland recipients will join the other state and territory finalists for the national awards to be announced on 25 January in Canberra.
