Elizabeth Broderick Named NSW Australian of the Year

Elizabeth Broderick has been named NSW Australian of the Year. Photo: marie claire

Former sex discrimination commissioner and 'social change innovator' Elizabeth Broderick has been named the 2016 NSW Australian of the Year.

Broderick, who has led the charge in the fight for women's rights in relation to workplace inequality and domestic violence, as well as championing a review into the treatment of women in the Australian Defence Force (ADFA) after the Skype sex scandal.

"Elizabeth was single-minded in her determination to break down the structural and social barriers preventing women from reaching their potential," said the Australian of the Year selection committee.

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"It takes a special person to bring together captains of industry and Defence Force chiefs to address gender inequality. But that's exactly what Elizabeth Broderick has done."

The NSW Senior Australian of the Year award went to Professor Gordian Fulde, director of the emergency department at Sydney's St Vincents Hospital for his work in the fight against the 'ice epidemic' and alcohol-fuelled violence.

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NSW Young Australian of the Year was awarded to Melissa Abu-Gazaleh who set up the youth-led Top Blokes Foundation.

The 29-year-old Illawarra resident, set up the foundation which aims to improve the lives of young boys and men, when she was just 19.

The national awards will be announced on January 25 in Canberra.