The Australian of the Year is announced on the eve of Australia Day with Quantum physicist Professor Michelle Yvonne Simmons winning the 2018 award. Whilst there is a little irony that the Australian of the Year emigrated to Australia from Britain in 1999; she was educated and grew up in the UK so one could argue holds English traits and values.
However, we could also argue it doesn't matter where you are born and grew up, it is what you bring to Australia; there are worries here, she brings heaps to this country and has been an Australian citizen since 2007. We are more than lucky to be able to claim her as an Australian and the population I suspect is more than happy to adapt a person of her calibre. I would argue she she has adapted Australian characteristics as much as we have adapted her.
Professor Simmons leads a team at the University of NSW Quantum Physics Department where her team developed the world's first transistor manufactured from a single atom including the world's thinnest wire. Her team is now seeking to develop a quantum computer capable of revolutionising artificial intelligence, facial recognition, drug design, finance, traffic flows, weather forecasting and a whole load of applications requiring amazing computer power and capability.
Her acceptance speech touched on Australian researchers holding unique advantages from being down to earth, being results driven and a holding a distrust of authority. Whilst Professor Simmons makes a great role model for women seeking to break into science and technology, I would argue she makes a great role model for anyone regardless of gender. This year science beats sport and entertainment.
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