NSW candidates have taken out top honours in the 2018 Australian of the Year Awards, with world-renowned physicist Michelle Simmons named Australian of the Year and mathematics teacher Eddie Woo as Australia’s Local Hero.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the national awards were well-deserved recognition for two of the State’s most passionate advocates for science and mathematics.
“Professor Simmons has long been highly regarded in the scientific community and now her pioneering achievements will be celebrated by all Australians,” Ms Berejiklian said.
Professor Simmons has received numerous international accolades for her achievements in quantum physics, leading her University of NSW research team to build electronic devices at the atomic scale, including the world’s first single-atom transistor and the narrowest conducting wires ever made.
“Like Professor Simmons the year before, Eddie Woo recently delivered the Australia Day Address and I was blown away by his passion for education and its transformational power.”
Cherrybrook Technology High School head mathematics teacher and Youtube star Eddie Woo has received awards for his leadership in education and dynamic presence in the classroom, which has seen his “Wootube” internet videos attract more than 10 million views worldwide.
“Professor Simmons and Mr Woo are wonderful choices for Australian of the Year and Australia’s Local Hero.
“These wins are going to raise the profile of the importance of science and teaching in communities across Australia and inspire young people to consider careers in these fields,” Ms Berejiklian said.