Advocates dominate awards instead of those who inspire us
When our national character is marked by informality, scepticism towards authority, egalitarian good humour and a phlegmatic approach to patriotism, formal national awards are a quandary. In our nation the tall poppy syndrome is not always seen as a curse but often as a device to ensure the so-called elites don't get ahead of themselves. Yet on Australia Day we look to put citizens on a pedestal. It is a tricky task and The Australian respectfully suggests the Australia Day Council has begun to lose its way. Rather than celebrate the qualities that make this an enviable nation, the awards and ceremonies seem intent on lecturing us about what we do wrong. Sanctimony is the order of the day as social and political issues are pushed by those selected. In this sense, there is a danger the awards are becoming the antithesis of our healthy disdain for authority and are being turned into a vehicle for progressive-minded elites to admonish the masses. 
Let us be clear, The Australian, along with most people in this generous and tolerant land, recognises the high standards, useful work and good intentions of all of the people who received or were nominated for awards. Without exception, they have made a contribution and added constructively to the fabric of the nation. Yet there is the unmistakable sense that the winds of political correctness help to focus the awards on fashionable political causes. To an extent, this will always be the case but increasingly the awards no longer reflect the achievements but the failings of the nation.
Beyond this, there is the reality that often enough people are nominated for doing their jobs. For all his leadership, eloquence and ongoing commitment, the 2016 Australian of the Year, David Morrison, was doing no more and no less than we should expect from the chief of army when he tackled an ingrained sexist culture. Likewise another nominee, Elizabeth Broderick, was recognised for campaigning against gender inequity when she was Sex Discrimination Commissioner. Their work is to be admired but as with the proliferation of human rights advocates and social policy campaigners singled out over the years, their tangible achievements and relevance to the aspirations of mainstream Australians are not always obvious.
At this newspaper we understand the challenge of choosing which individuals to highlight. Every year we sift through a plethora of nominations for our own award, and often a strong case can be made for any number of them. This year we chose Michelle Payne, the first victorious female Melbourne Cup jockey, because her deeds achieved what nobody's words ever could. She overcame adversity, showed great courage in obscurity and, importantly, she inspired us. Besides, when Payne said those who hadn't believed in her could "get stuffed", she showed the essence of our informal, egalitarian, feisty and good-humoured disregard for the establishment. This history-making jockey didn't lecture us about what is wrong with Australia; rather, she reflected something about our determined optimism.
If we look back to the 1960s and 70s the Australian of the Year awards recognised fewer activists and more doers. Nobel prize winners such as Macfarlane Burnet and John Eccles, artists such as Robert Helpmann and the Seekers, sports stars such as Dawn Fraser and Jack Brabham, indigenous Australians such as Lionel Rose and Galarrwuy Yunupingu and women such as Joan Sutherland and Evonne Goolagong. In recent decades the emphasis has shifted to those who have a cause rather than an achievement. Whether the cause is gender equality, indigenous reconciliation, climate change, domestic violence, age discrimination or a range of other issues, there is no missing the political element. Progressive causes dominate, and the award nominees realise this is an opportunity to win a platform. The Australia Council must know this too, so it is choosing an issue as well as an individual. The public, in turn, realises it is receiving not inspiration but a lecture. Mr Morrison said Australians currently are "denied the opportunity to reach their potential" because of their gender, faith, disability, racial heritage or sexual orientation. He said he will campaign on domestic violence, diversity and the republic, suggesting we are not "free and fully independent" under a constitutional monarchy. None other than former republican movement chairman Malcolm Turnbull, the Prime Minister, was forced to slap down the new republican push, noting grassroots momentum will drive change, not top-down urging.Instead of using our national day to air grievances, promote agendas or highlight past injustices to indigenous Australians - as the Google search engine chose to do - we might do better to celebrate progress. We do not advocate indifference to imperfections and disadvantage but encourage an appreciation of our fairness, standing and communal accomplishments. This can inspire Australians to even greater prosperity, inclusiveness and fairness.