Lecturer named ACT Senior Australian of the Year

Edward O'Daly

12 December 2006: Like many of us, education lecturer Kaye Price will take the chance to catch up with friends on Australia Day.

But, having been named ACT Senior Australian of the Year last week, Dr Price will share more than a backyard barbecue with old friends Raymattja Marika (Northern Territory Australian of the Year) and Patricia Anderson (Northern Territory Senior Australian of the Year).

Dr Price has no intention of slowing down Photo: Edward O'Daly

"We're going to have a busy day: there's morning tea with Prime Minister, lunch with the Governor General and the big concert in the evening," she said.

"What's really exciting is having two of my good friends there to share it."

Dr Price's award recognises her contribution to Indigenous education throughout a career that has seen her work across education as a primary school teacher, principal, university lecturer, Indigenous education consultant and a curriculum writer. All the while she has practiced what she's preached continuing to work on her own education and completing her PhD earlier this year.

Dr Price said she was pleased to be recognised as the award demonstrates the value placed on her work.

"This award recognises that I have made a contribution and I'm very happy about that," she said.

"It also that it's important to Australia and the ACT in particular."

Dr Price said she was taken by surprise by the win because of the calibre of her fellow nominees.

"When you look at all the wonderful people - like the lady who serves soup to 300 people a night - it really came as quite a shock."

Despite becoming one of Australia's most prominent 'seniors' Dr Price said she has no intention of cutting back her workload and said in her role as 2007 ACT Senior Australian she would encourage other older people to continue to make an active contribution to society.

"I really, really love what I do and there is still so much more to do, that I can't see me stopping yet," she said.