EMBARGOED UNTIL 7:30 pm, OCTOBER 30
Sincere congratulations to Rodney Croome AM on being named the Tasmanian Australian of the Year.
This award acknowledges the personal sacrifices Mr Croome has made campaigning for equal rights over the past 26-years.
Mr Croome's fight against discrimination, and ultimate success, has changed Tasmania for the better.
Each year our nation celebrates individuals who inspire us through their achievements and challenge us to make our own contribution to creating a better Australia.
There is no doubt the Tasmanian Award recipients have made a tremendous contribution to shaping our state and I congratulate them all:
While there can only
be four award recipients, every finalist deserves our gratitude and respect.
Our award winners will now be considered for the 2015 Australian of the Year
Awards, which will be announced by the Prime Minister in a ceremony in Canberra
on the eve of Australia Day.