Each year our nation celebrates the achievement and contribution of eminent Australians through the Australian of the Year Awards.
The nominees are leading citizens and role models who inspire us through their achievements and encourage us to make our own contribution to creating a better Australia.

The Australian of the Year 2013 is a media icon, who started her career in the challenging industry of publishing. As the former editor of the Australian Women’s Weekly, she broke with convention and opened the door for millions of other women to pursue a career in the media.

Ita Buttrose was awarded Australian of the Year 2013 for her media career, as well as her significant commitment to not-for-profit organisations, including her Presidency of Alzheimer’s Australia.

Since 2011 she has been National President of Alzheimer’s Australia and is also Vice President Emeritus of Arthritis Australia. She also uses her national profile to raise public awareness and understanding of breast cancer, HIV/AIDS and prostate cancer.

Team VIVA! was lucky enough to meet Ita at the pharmaceutical industry’s PRIME Awards in 2012, where Ita was the keynote speaker and VIVA! was awarded for the best PR campaign of the year. VIVA! Principal, Kirsten Bruce, has also had the pleasure of working with Ita on a PR campaign.

Team VIVA! congratulates Ita on this fantastic achievement.