‘Truly sensational stories’: 30 Australians leaving their mark

Grant Burge Photograph: GB

Australians are known for their generosity. Every day, individuals across the country use their time, skills and passion to make a difference and build a better society. Grant Burge Wines is recognising 30 of these inspiring Australians who are building a legacy of community, culture and innovation that reflects the brand’s generosity of spirit.

To mark the 30th birthday of Grant Burge Sparkling Pinot Noir Chardonnay, an iconic Australian drop with a vitality that makes it great with a meal or on its own, Grant Burge Wines has announced the recipients of its inaugural 30 Leaving Their Mark awards. As the brand has left its own indelible mark on Australia, it wanted to acknowledge those unsung everyday heroes who are leaving their own mark on the world.

Choosing the sparkling list of winners

Australians were invited to nominate their heroes – the people in their lives and communities that are having a positive impact, whether through the life-changing products they create, the vital community bonds they build or the creativity they share. A panel consisting of the 2022 Australian of the Year, Dylan Alcott AO, the chief winemaker of Grant Burge Wines, Craig Stansborough, and the Guardian Labs content and strategy director, Justine O’Donnell, evaluated the nominations.

• Dylan Alcott AO and Grant Burge ’30 Leaving Their Mark’ award winner Lizzie Hedding. Photo supplied.

The winners are as diverse as they are impactful. The awards unearthed remarkable stories of courage, determination and concern for others from all over the country, from a recipient who collects surplus useable medical supplies and distributes them to communities in need, to one who creates immersive narratives about queer experiences, to another who designs and 3D prints prosthetic hands provided free to children across the globe. The quiet achievers, as Alcott puts it.

• Grant Burge Sparkling Pinot Noir Chardonnay. Photo supplied.

“We have uncovered some truly sensational stories from these nominations, and the dedication of each of these individuals to improve the lives of those around them is deeply inspiring,” he says.

An awards dinner brought together the winners for a night of recognition, sharing stories and exploring what can be possible – with, of course, a few glasses raised in celebration.

The 30 Australians who are leaving their mark

Winners were selected in three categories: community, culture and innovation.

Community

Recognised for making a positive impact on those around them, bringing people together and promoting cohesion and diversity, these winners are moving Australia’s social fabric forward. Winners include individuals and their organisations that are creating opportunities, challenging misconceptions and advocating for those in need.

Winners:

• Anja Christoffersen, Champion Health Agency

• Brad Grove, Push Your Limits Project

• Claire Lane, Save Our Supplies

• George Karounis, Our Big Kitchen

• Guy Dunstan, Manly’s Temperature Man

• Kyle Goodwin, Silicosis campaigner

• Melissa Stehr, Access Advisor

• Mirek Craney, Can Too Ocean Swims

• Rodney Callanan, Droplets in a Stream

• Sally Irwin, The Freedom Hub

Culture

By inspiring others with their creativity and ambition, these winners are shifting the cultural dial. They are creating more accessible experiences in the arts, discovering new worlds and giving diverse audiences more opportunities to be creative.

Winners:

• Adrian Widjonarko, Places in Sydney

• Carol Smail, Gig Buddies

• Dean Bryant, director and writer

• Gail Hewton, RIPE Dance

• Helene Thomas, Pridefinder

• Kent Morris, The Torch

• Michael Campbell, WestWords

• Melle Smith-Haimona, artist

• Nathan Hawkes, artist

• Niramsin Yakou, artist

Innovation

There has never been a more exciting time to challenge the status quo through experimentation, curiosity, emerging technology and unprecedented connectivity. These winners are finding breakthrough ways to engage with the world, champion sustainability and change lives through inclusion and discovery.

Winners:

• Andy Murray, Sailability Cairns

• Aniyo Rahebi and Catherine Hutchins, Good-Edi

• Damien Neylon, PARCS Melbourne

• Guy Ballard, Department of Primary Industries and University of New England

• Mat Bowtell, Free 3D Hands

• Lizzie Hedding and Tegan Lerm, Project Planet

• Luke Phillips, Into Carry

• Rebecca Spindler, Conservation Futures

Stansborough says he was honoured to have been part of recognising these 30 Australians working hard to leave the world better than they found it.

“I am usually surrounded by grapes, barrels and other winemakers,” he says. “This is not something that I typically get to do and uncovering the extraordinary stories that ring true to our ethos as well as hearing first-hand about how these innovators and gamechangers are driven to make a change in the world has been a privilege.”

Alcott says: “Without any expectation of acknowledgement, these are 30 Aussies who deserve to be celebrated, and I have had such an amazing time being part of this meaningful initiative.

“As we recognise these 30 individuals who have left their mark, I hope that shining a light on their stories encourages others to do the same.”

Grant Burge Wines has been leaving its mark since 1988.
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_{Please drink responsibly. For information and resources visit DrinkWise.org.au}