Australia’s top businesswoman Gina Rinehart has been named Western Australian of the Year in recognition of her generous philanthropy and unrivalled corporate success.
Mrs Rinehart, a leading figure in the mining and agricultural industries, received the prestigious honour at a gala dinner at Crown Ballroom where the finalists and winners of The Western Australian of the Year Awards were celebrated on Friday night.
Mrs Rinehart is widely respected in business circles for overseeing the transformation of Hancock Prospecting Group since she took the helm in 1992.
When she took charge of the company it was facing financial difficulties, but her astute business decisions and high-level deal-making have allowed it to grow to become the most successful private company in Australia’s history.
Australia’s richest person has long been applauded, and won a list of awards, for spearheading the exploration, financing, construction and operation of the award-winning $US10 billion Roy Hill iron ore project.
Mrs Rinehart not only developed a successful mine, she also, in a world first, had massive mining trucks and trains painted pink in support of those suffering breast cancer, and in support of women in the mines.
Mrs Rinehart prefers to keep a low profile but is a champion of philanthropy and giving back to the community. Her ongoing support has financially aided several medical, sporting, educational, health and community organisations.
She also serves as patron of Australia’s Olympic swimming, rowing, and volleyball and synchronised swimming teams, and is a generous donor to Telethon.
“Gina is a truly deserving winner of this award. Her commitment, selflessness and compassion are values we should all strive towards, and her impact on not only our State but country cannot be overstated,” Celebrate WA chair Mike Anghie said.
“I also congratulate all of the category winners, whose outstanding achievements in their respective fields really do represent the diversity of talent present in Western Australia.”
The annual awards celebrated 21 finalists across seven categories, with the list of winners including the best and brightest in the State.
Political trailblazer Ken Wyatt was awarded the Westfarmers Aboriginal Award.
The first Indigenous Australian elected to the House of Representatives, Mr Wyatt is a strong advocate for an Aboriginal Voice to Parliament and an inspiring leader with an unmatched understanding of the issues facing Indigenous Australians.
Artistic director for Perth Music Festival Iain Grandage took home the Woodside Energy Arts & Culture Award for his creative vision and a strong commitment to WA’s vibrant art community.
Professor Marcus Atlas AM won the Alcoa Community Award in recognition of his global contribution to the field of ear and hearing health.
The director of Ear Science Institute Australia has helped turn the not-for-profit into a world-leading ear and hearing medical research institute.
He has been instrumental in providing high-quality surgery and hearing rehabilitation for the community, with ESIA serving more than 44,000 people annually.
Professions Award.
Renowned autism researcher Professor Andrew Whitehouse was awarded the HBF Professions Award.
His work and passion for transforming clinical care for children have been commended across the country.
Professor Whitehouse’s discovery in 2021, showing the benefits of intervention for autism as early as six to 12 months, has transformed international practice.
The Channel 7 Sport Award went to Brad Ness OAM.
The Paralympic champion, who lost his leg in a workplace accident when he was 18, is admired for his advocacy of para-sport.
He has represented Australia in five Paralympic Games, winning a gold and two silver medals in wheelchair basketball. Under his guidance as the head coach of the WA Institute of Sport, a record number of WA wheelchair basketball players made the national team in 2022.
And para-athlete and disability advocate Madison Heady took out the BHP Youth Award.
The 21-year-old has not let her ataxic cerebral palsy stop her from succeeding over the years.
After being involved in a serious car accident in 2020, doctors advised her that she may never walk again and that her dreams of becoming a Paralympic runner could be over.
Yet she went on to win a National Athletics silver medal. She is also a public speaker who educates young people about equality and inclusion.
Mrs Rinehart joins previous Western Australian of the Year Awards recipients including Richard Goyder AO (2021), Emeritus Professor Mike Daube AO (2018), James McMahon DSC AM DSM (2019) Dr Robert Isaacs AM JP (2015) and Professor Fiona Stanley AC, who won the Community Service Award and Professions Award in 1999.
The Western Australian of the Year Awards ceremony marked the start of the WA Day long weekend across the State.
