The Australian Father of the Year Award is presented annually to "a distinguished father who has demonstrated support, guidance and love to his children or other children through his working role or family life."
Awards The award was inaugurated in 1957 by The Australian Father's Day Council. The Shepherd Centre (TSC) has been involved from 1998 to 2021, in 2022 the award organisation was handed to The Fathering Project. Much like TSC, The Fathering Project together with the Australian Father's Day Council launch an annual campaign to find Australia's best high-profile father. The Fathering Project, in collaboration with the Australian Father's Day Council, continues to announce the winners annually.
The award is not associated with the Australian government run Australian of the Year awards.
Past recipients Awarded Name Post-nominals Notes2025Dr. Arne RubinsteinRecognised for their outstanding contributions to supporting children and families in Australia.2024David Campbell (singer) and his father, Jimmy Barnes The Today Extra talk show host, singer, actor and his father, Cold Chisel frontman and singer.2023Hamish BlakeAustralian comedian, television and radio presenter, actor and author2022Craig FosterFormer Socceroo's captain and political activist2021Brendan MurphyFormer Chief Medical Officer of Australia 2020 Shane Fitzsimmons Former Commissioner of the New South Wales Rural Fire Service and Head of Resilience NSW 2019 Mark Beretta Television journalist 2018 Dick Smith Entrepreneur and philanthropist 2017 Mike Baird Former Premier of New South Wales 2016 Lieutenant General David Hurley Governor of New South Wales 2015 Jamal Rifi Doctor, founder of Australia Muslim Doctors against Violence 2014 Andrew Gaze Basketballer 2013 Corporal Ben Roberts-Smith Soldier, later found at a civil defamation trial to be a war criminal 2012 John Symond Executive Chairman of Aussie Home Loans, and Chairman of Sydney Opera House Trust 2011 Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston Former Chief of the Defence Force 2010 Guy Cooper Former Chief Executive of the Taronga and Western Plains Zoos 2009 Li Cunxin Dancer 2008 Paul Roos Footballer 2007 David Koch Television presenter 2006 Ron Delezio Founder of Day of Difference Foundation 2005 Steve Waugh Cricketer 2004 Graeme Clark Cochlear Implant developer 2003 Karl Kruszelnicki Scientist 2002 Steve Vizard Media personality 2001 Jim Rafter Father of nine including tennis player Pat Rafter 2000 Stephen Biddulph Parenting activist 1999 Slim Dusty Musician 1998 Kamahl Musician 1997 John Howard Prime Minister 1996 Rear Admiral Peter Ross Sinclair Governor of New South Wales 1995 Mark Taylor Cricketer 1994 Sir James Hardy America's Cup Sailor 1993 Michael Chugg Music promoter 1992 Bill Crews Minister 1991 Dr Bruce Shepherd Known for his work in education for the deaf 1990 Peter Doyle 1989 Ken Done Artist 1988 Rear Admiral Sir David Martin Governor of New South Wales 1987 A.H Pollard Actuary and statistician 1986 Gordon Moyes Politician 1985 Sir Ian Turbott Businessman, Chancellor of Western Sydney University 1984 Prof Peter Rowe Sir Lorimer Dods Professor, University of Sydney, Director of the Children's Medical Research Institute 1983 Bobby Limb Entertainer 1982 Alan Davidson Cricketer 1981 Dr Bradney W Norington 1980 Jim Lees Police Commissioner 1979 Neil McLeod 1978 Sir Zelman Cowen Governor General 1977 Gary O'Callaghan Radio presenter 1976 Malcolm Fraser Prime Minister 1975 joint winners Major General Alan Stretton Head of National Disasters Organisation (Cyclone Tracy relief efforts) John Cornforth Nobel prize winner in Chemistry 1974 Sir John Kerr Governor General 1973 Group Captain John Waddy Politician 1972 Dr William McBride Gynecologist and obstetrician, (discovered the teratogenicity of thalidomide) 1971 William McMahon Prime Minister 1970 Vincent Charles Fairfax Boy Scouts page 6 1969 W.M. Leonard Legacy AustraliaBarrie Dyster, 'Leonard, Sir Walter McEllister (Mac) (1915–1985)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/leonard-sir-walter-mcellister-mac-14152/text25163, published in hardcopy 2012, accessed online 5 April 2014. 1968 Lord Casey Governor General 1967 Sir Lorimer Dods Children's health care 1966 Lieutenant Roden Cutler Governor of New South Wales 1965 Bill Northam Olympic sailorR. I. Cashman, 'Northam, Sir William Herbert (1905–1988)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/northam-sir-william-herbert-14999/text26188, published in hardcopy 2012, accessed online 5 April 2014. 1964 Robert Menzies Prime Minister 1963 Leslie James Herron Chief justice of the Supreme Court of New South Wales 1962 Captain Sir Norman Gregg Ophthalmologist 1961 Captain Adrian Curlewis Judge 1960 Colin Delaney NSW Police Commissioner 1959 Joseph Cahill Premier of New South Wales 1958 Harry Jensen Politician 1957 Sir Edward Hallstrom Businessman and philanthropist
See also Australian Mother of the Year Award
References
External links Australian Father of the Year