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Saturday, February 8, 2025

‘Mowerman’ named Queensland Australian of the Year

Child protection campaigner and Bravehearts fundraiser, Claude ‘The Mowerman’ Lyle Harvey OAM, has been named the 2023 Queensland Senior Australian of the Year.

Many would excuse 77-year-old former gardener Claude (pictured) if he put his feet up after a lifetime of hard work.

Instead, Claude is spending his retirement trekking around Australia to increase awareness of child protection and raise funds for Bravehearts, a not-for-profit dedicated to preventing child sexual abuse and assisting survivors.

Over the past 17 years, he has pushed his trusty lawnmower ‘Moyra’ tens of thousands of kilometres around Australia. He’s brought in more than $1.5 million for Bravehearts, with the aim of hitting $2 million by the end of 2024.

Claude’s commitment came after learning that two girls just three and four years old had been sexually abused by their 16-year-old neighbour.

He keeps walking, saying: “If I can save just one child from this crime, that harms one in five Australian children, I will have achieved what I’ve set out to do.”

Queensland 2023 Australian of the Year, William Barton.

At Tuesday night’s awards ceremony, multi-instrumentalist, composer, vocalist and producer, William Barton was named the 2023 Queensland Australian of the Year.

Proud Kalkadunga man, William, is a vocalist, didgeridoo player and renowned classical composer.

Growing up on Kalkadungu country, Mount Isa, he learned didgeridoo (yidaki) from his uncle, Arthur Peterson, a Wannyi, Lardil and Kalkadunga elder. William left school at 12 to concentrate on music. By age 17, he had performed with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra. 

William, who holds honorary doctorates from both Griffith University and the University of Sydney and an associate professor at Australian National University, has released five albums on the ABC Classics label including Heartland with Véronique Serret featuring the words of William’s mother Aunty Delmae Barton.

The 41-year-old was the 2019 artist in residence at Melbourne Recital Centre, a Creative Consultant for Australia Day Live and has won multiple awards, including the 2021 Australia Council Don Banks Music Award for his sustained contribution to music. In 2022 William’s ‘Of The Earth’ opened the new Opera House Concert Hall.

Queensland Premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk said the national awards honoured those Queenslanders who demonstrated tireless commitment and compassion, contributing greatly to their community and the nation.

“We are proud to recognise these extraordinary Queenslanders whose positive impacts are improving lives and society on a daily basis,” she said.

“I would like to personally congratulate each of the 2023 recipients and wish you well for the national announcement on the eve of Australia Day.”

National Australia Day Council CEO, Karlie Brand also congratulated the award recipients from Queensland.

“The Queensland award recipients’ achievements and contributions are inspirational – they are people all Queenslanders can be very proud of,” said Ms Brand.

“We look forward to welcoming them to Canberra for the national Australian of the Year Awards to be announced on 25 January 2023.”

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