City of Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp has announced Dr Bronwyn King AO as the 2019 Melburnian of the Year at the 17th annual Melbourne Awards Gala Ceremony at Melbourne Town Hall.
Dr King is an oncologist and the founder and CEO of Tobacco Free Portfolios, a not-for-profit organisation that collaborates with the world’s largest financial groups to drive global change towards tobacco-free finance.
“I’m thrilled Dr King has been named Melburnian of the Year. Her hard work has resulted in tobacco-free finance policies being implemented by more than 40 Australian superannuation funds and by financial organisations in ten countries,” the Lord Mayor said.
“The Melbourne Awards recognise the contribution of our many passionate people and organisations delivering value in Melbourne and for Melbourne. These efforts make a more caring and liveable city.”
The coveted Melburnian of the Year award recognises an individual whose energy and passion has made an outstanding contribution to the city in their chosen field, as well as a significant contribution to the Melbourne community.
Dr King began her medical career at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne, where she treated patients suffering from lung cancer. She later realised that her superannuation fund was supporting the global production of cigarettes and decided to take action.
Dr King founded Tobacco Free Portfolios which is now an international organisation to inform, prioritise and advance tobacco-free finance by eliminating tobacco from investment portfolios and pension funds across the globe.
“I’m truly thrilled to be the 2019 Melburnian of the Year. I am a quintessential Melburnian. I love this city and I don’t think there is a single event, festival or activity that Melbourne offers that I haven’t enjoyed or benefited from at some stage in my life,” Dr King said.
“Tobacco Free Portfolios’ work has been inspired by a long list of brilliant Melburnians whose innovative thinking has reshaped community knowledge and protection around tobacco.
“We look forward to continuing our work in that bold and courageous spirit.”
This year, the Melbourne Awards included five new categories – Aboriginal Melbourne; Arts and Events; Health and Wellbeing; Hospitality; and Urban Design – along with Community and Environment.
Seven organisations were honoured from a selection of 24 finalists, for their contribution to Melbourne as a thriving, forward-thinking capital city.
“These individuals and organisations make a significant contribution to Melbourne but don’t always receive the accolades their work deserves,” the Lord Mayor said.
2019 MELBOURNE AWARDS WINNERS
HOSPITALITY CATEGORY
Arbory Afloat celebrates its northbank Yarra location, inspiring guests with a heightened awareness of the river and its beauty, environmental struggles, history and indigenous significance.
HEALTH AND WELLBEING CATEGORY
The RCH National Child Health Poll is a unique quarterly survey of Australian households that moves beyond incidence reporting to uncover the beliefs and practices of parents and their knowledge gaps.
COMMUNITY CATEGORY
HoMie is a streetwear clothing social enterprise with 100% of its profits going to support people experiencing homelessness or hardship.
ENVIRONMENT CATEGORY
Southbank Sustainability Group evolved from a group of Southbankers with an environmental conscience into a purposeful community of neighbours improving Melbourne’s environmental footprint.
ABORIGINAL MELBOURNE CATEGORY
Birrarangga Film Festival & Blak Masterclass celebrates global Indigenous films that explore First Nations’ relationship to the image as a form of expression.
ARTS AND EVENTS CATEGORY
Midsumma Festival is Victoria’s premier LGBTQIA+ cultural festival, made for and by communities who live with shared experiences around diverse gender and sexuality.
URBAN DESIGN CATEGORY
Carlton Primary School and Early Years & Family Services Centre has been transformed from a three-storey school building into a revitalized primary school with an integrated Early Learning Centre, Family Services Centre and Community Hub.
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