Sydney emergency doctor named 2016 Senior Australian of the Year
Sydney emergency doctor Gordian Fulde was named 2016 Senior Australian of the Year at the Australian of the Year ceremony in Canberra on Tuesday.
2016 Senior Australian of the Year Professor Gordian Fulde says we must increase each other’s regard and respect for another human being
Professor Fulde has been in charge of the emergency departments of St Vincent's Hospital and Sydney Hospital for more than three decades and sees first hand the devastation of alcohol and substance fuelled violence, and domestic violence.
He speaks out about the issues that happen in emergency departments, and has a strong voice in making people aware of the risks and improving the safety of our community.
“It’s really not about me, but it is about us as a community,” Professor Fulde said in his acceptance speech on Australia Day.
“We do not want excess alcohol or drugs causing that much damage and devastation.
“We do not need to be drunk and ugly or out of it to enjoy this fantastic country Australia.
“For over 40 years I’ve seen and treated the carnage caused. It is preventable and it is unneccesarry. The cost to of injury and despair to the individual, to the family, friends, to the community and even to the tax payer is astronomical. It’s all about saving wellbeing, lives and souls,” Professor Fulde says.
“We can change attitudes and influence regulation and legislation. We need to teach that actions have consequences, but above all, we must increase each other’s regard and respect for another human being.”
Council on the Ageing (COTA) Australia chief executive Ian Yates says “The announcement of the Senior Australian of the Year is a great celebration of the contributions older people have made, and continue to make, to our communities.
“Every day there are millions of Australians over the age of 65 inspiring others with their energy, wisdom and passion. This year’s recipient, Professor Gordian Fulde, has those qualities in spades.
“For over 30 years he has been on the front line, saving lives and providing crisis care to many thousands of patients. There is no more demanding field of medicine than emergency departments.
“But more than that he has been a strong advocate for safe places – being a strong and credible voice for victims of crime and highlighting the impacts of alcohol and drugs in our biggest city, impacts he sees first hand every day,” Mr Yates says.
“His speaking out about what he sees in the emergency department is a wake up call for what is happening outside the emergency door, on the streets.
“Professor Fulde’s strong voice of reason contributed to the introduction of the Kings Cross lock outs and other laws which are reducing the incidence of alcohol fueled violence and injury in Sydney.
“He is a leader, a mentor and professional and a very worthy recipient. I look forward to hearing more from him as Senior Australian of the Year this year.”
The Australian of the Year ceremony named Equality Advocate and former army chief David Morrison AO Australian of the Year for 2016.
Nic Marchesi and Lucas Patchett were awarded 2016 Young Australian of the Year for their free mobile laundry service to help the homeless, and New South Wales youth educator Dr Catherine Keenan was recognised as 2016 Australia’s Local Hero.
