Kurt Fearnley named NSW Australian of the Year

Wheelchair track & road athlete Kurt Fearnley has been named the NSW Australian of the Year for 2019.

The announcement was made on Monday evening at a ceremony held at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney.

The veteran NSW Institute of Sport athlete will represent his state at the national awards in Canberra on January 25 next year, where the four Australians of the Year will be announced.

Competing for Australia over a 20-year wheelchair-racing career, Kurt Fearnley AO has captured the hearts of the nation. Winning thirteen medals across five Paralympic games, Kurt now champions the rights of people with disability and advocates for greater access into communities and workplaces. Kurt’s determination and success are an inspiration.

 

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@kurtfearnleyinsta has been named NSW Australian of the Year. We have so much respect, pride and admiration for this remarkable Aussie. Congratulations on this honour Kurt, it’s so well deserved @australianoftheyear

A post shared by AUSParalympics (@ausparalympics) on Nov 12, 2018 at 2:15pm PST

Representing Australia over a 20-year wheelchair-racing career, Kurt Fearnley AO has captured the hearts of the nation. Born without part of his spine, Kurt’s indomitable spirit was apparent at an early age, when he would crawl through paddocks with his brothers and sisters and race his wheelchair down the grass track at school athletics carnivals.

An outstanding athlete, Kurt has participated in five Paralympic games, winning thirteen medals, including three gold. This year, he ended his international career on a high – with gold and silver medals at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and carrying the Australian flag in the closing ceremony.

In 2009, Kurt acknowledged the sacrifice of Australian soldiers, crawling the entire 96km length of the Kokoda Track, to raise awareness for men’s health. Then, in 2011 he crewed on the winning yacht in the gruelling Sydney-to-Hobart yacht race.

Kurt champions the rights of people with disability and advocates for greater access into communities and workplaces. His determination and love of life provides inspiration to all Australians.