Nate Dunbar's mum a hero
Stacy Dunbar says she is a mum and a hairdresser - not a hero. But someone out there disagrees.
Which is why the mother of eight-month-old Nate Dunbar, who was killed when a drink-driver ploughed into his bedroom, is a finalist in this year's WA Australian of the Year awards.
Through her grief and pain, Mrs Dunbar found the strength to turn the worst day of her life into something positive - launching the Pledge for Nate campaign last Christmas in an attempt to stop anyone else getting behind the wheel under the influence.
The campaign, run in conjunction with The West Australian and Channel 7, contributed to the State recording its lowest rate of drink-driving offences in more than 60 years.
And for her part, Mrs Dunbar was nominated as one of Australia's Local Heroes, an honour she says left her, for once, speechless.
"I was completely unprepared for that phone call, but after I had sat down and thought about it, I was so glad to have made something of a difference and caused some ripples," she said.
Advocates, artists, Aboriginal campaigners and medical pioneers are all nominated in the four categories, with the WA winners to be announced at a reception at the Government House Ballroom on November 15.
Perth-raised paediatrician Dr Annie Sparrow. Picture: Trevor Collens/The West Australian
Among those who will travel furthest to be there will be paediatrician and public health specialist Annie Sparrow, who is based in New York.
Since leaving WA, Dr Sparrow has tackled some of the globe's most taxing medical assignments.
After trying to help amid the atrocities of Chad and Darfur, she spent three years in emergency public health in Africa, battling cholera in Zimbabwe and malaria in Somalia.
Currently, she is an assistant professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mt Sinai, teaching humanitarian aid - between trips to the Syrian border to train doctors, fight polio and advocate for child refugees.
"I was nominated by a member of the public that heard me talking on Syrian refugee children - that made my heart shine," Dr Sparrow told The Weekend West. "Some of the other nominees are my idols, and my inspiration."
The other nominees for WA Australian of the Year are ear surgeon Marcus Atlas, outgoing WA Chief Scientist Lyn Beazley and eye researcher Yogesan Kanagasingam.
Other finalists include veteran radio host Graham Mabury and Aboriginal artist Lena Nyadbi, whose work on the roof terrace of the Musee du quai Branly in Paris is seen by millions of people every year.
