Migrant Medico Gongs

Professor Ian Frazer of the University of Queensland has been named Australian of the Year for 2006. For 20 years he has been researching the link between papilloma viruses and cancer, seeking ways to treat these viruses in order to reduce the incidence of cancer. Ian has now developed vaccines to prevent and to treat cervical cancer, which affects 500,000 women each year.

Like last year's gong winner Fiona Wood (also a medico), Professor Frazer migrated to Australia. Prof Frazer came from Scotland in 1980 and now leads the University of Queensland's Centre for Immunology and Cancer Research. Last year's winner, plastic surgeon and burns specialist Dr Fiona Wood, migrated from England to Perth in 1987.

We have updated our demographic analysis of Australian of the year over the 50 years of this award. Average age of awardees is 50 (Frazer is 52), most awards have gone to sportspersons (30%) with medicos next at 20%, but catching up fast with 6 of the last 11 years being medicos. National Australia Day Council chair is sportsperson, Lisa Curry Kenny. Women have 20% and men 80% of the award. You can find the full list and analysis at http://www.findem.com.au/resources/displayResourcesArticle.php?id=15

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