GENDER equality advocates, a celebrated burns surgeon and human rights campaigners are among the finalists in the -Australian of the Year award. 
Transgender champion Catherine McGregor (pictured) is flying the flag for Queensland, and well up in Sportsbet's odds, against the likes of former Sex Discrimination Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick from NSW and plastic surgeon John Greenwood of South Australia.
Ms McGregor, formerly Malcolm, was a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army and served in East Timor three times. She announced her gender change in 2012 and since then has -campaigned for the rights of transgender people, encouraging them to share their experiences with the world.
Sportsbet has opened a market for the event, with Ms Broderick the current favourite, sitting at $2.50. Mr Greenwood is sitting at $3.50 and Ms McGregor is on $4.
Sportsbet spokesman Ben Hawes said the novelty bet had attracted several small wagers, including a few $2 bets on the outsider from the Northern Territory, youth worker Will MacGregor ($21).
"We have a week to go and we might see another 30 to 40 bets but based on our expert research we don't expect the results to change too much," Mr Hawes said.The Australian of the Year will be announced on Australia Day next week.