January 25, 2017
The South Burnett’s 2017 Australia Day Ambassador – Annabel Pike – is living proof that being born with a disadvantage need not be a barrier to high achievement.
She will be giving an opening address and presenting the South Burnett’s Young Citizen Of The Year Award at the annual Australia Day Awards presentation ceremony in Nanango on Wednesday night, then meeting and mingling with the audience afterwards.
Annabel was born prematurely, and has suffered from profound hearing loss all her life.
As a child, she began using swimming as a form of physiotherapy, and this developed into a love of the sport that led her to represent Queensland for many years of her school life.
In high school she began to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a nurse, and won early entry into the Australian Catholic University through their Early Achievers Program, graduating with honours in 2011 and winning the Sovereign of Military Order of Malta for excellence in palliative care.
The following year she was offered a place in the highly coveted Mater Health Service Graduate Program, and in 2013, she was named Australian Graduation Nurse of the Year, as well as being awarded the Pride of Australia Medal for Care and Compassion.
Annabel was also an Australian of the Year nominee in 2014 and 2015, and has been an Australia Day Ambassador for three years in a row.
Most recently, she was one of four finalists for Queensland Young Achiever of the Year, and was Clinical Supervisor of the Year in 2016.
In October 2014 and June 2015, Annabel travelled to Cambodia to volunteer in a rural hospital as a nurse educator and mentor, winning the hearts of the local nurses and community.
In 2015, she was also the nursing feature in the ABC TV series “Keeping Australia Alive”.
Annabel is currently studying postgraduate coursework, working in Oncology and Palliative Care, and facilitating nursing students in one of Australia’s leading universities.
She hopes her care and advocacy for patients can be an inspiration to novice practitioners.
South Burnett Mayor Keith Campbell said he was very proud to have Annabel as the region’s Australia Day Ambassador for 2017.
“It’s not often that accomplished young Australians like Annabel visit our region, and I hope as many people as possible take advantage of the opportunity to meet her on Wednesday night”.
The Australia Day Awards ceremony will be held at Nanango State High School’s Hall in Elk Street.
The ceremony will begin at 6:30pm, and be followed by light refreshments and music.
And on top of all Annabel’s qualifications and experiences, what a totally delightful, humble and inspiring lady she is. A wonderful asset to the successful Australia Day awards evening.
The pleasure was mine has been mine to meet so many wonderful people of the South Burnett Region over the past 24 hours. The achievements and contributions of your community is something you should be very proud of. Thank you for your wonderful hospitality.