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Thursday, 3 November 2011

The University of Western Australia today congratulated final-year law student and reconciliation campaigner Krista McMeeken, who has been named as a State finalist in the Young Australian of the Year Award 2012 .

Finalists in the State and Territory level of the Australian of the Year Awards 2012 have been announced and include four finalists in each award category - Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year and Australia's Local Hero - for each State and Territory.

The national awards recognise outstanding Australians who are making a real difference in their communities, in our country and around the world.

Krista McMeeken describes herself as a proud Aboriginal woman and often remarks that her fair complexion has given her a unique opportunity to promote reconciliation between black and white Australians.

Krista's extensive list of international, national and community achievements include her appointment, at the age of 20, to the UNICEF Youth delegation and NAIDOC ambassador.

Krista was also recognised for her leadership and commitment to Indigenous youth when she was awarded the inaugural Wesfarmers Indigenous Youth Scholarship at the Citizen of the Year awards in 2009.

"It's an unexpected honour to be placed in a list of such dedicated and inspiring young people.  I think the diversity of the achievements demonstrated by the other finalists shows just how active young Australians are in our community, something which we can all be really proud of," Krista said.

Western Australia's Awards will be announced at a special event in Perth on Saturday 19 November 2011, at Government House.

Media references

Michael Sinclair-Jones (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8)  6488 3229  /  (+61 4) 00 700 783

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