Miss 26 and I had the pleasure of meeting our brand new Australian of the Year, Taryn Brumfitt, some years ago.
And here’s the photo to prove it!
I even blogged about hearing Taryn Brumfitt speak at an International Women’s Day event back in 2017.
I had no idea who was even in the running this year, but was delighted when I did hear of Taryn’s win.
Then I started seeing the backlash on social media … I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like it!
Who is a Worthy Award Recipient?
One commentator said that the Award should be go to more worthy recipients, like doctors, researchers, community workers – those who had ‘really’ worked for it.
Ummmm excuuuuuuuuse me, but I think you’ll find Taryn has worked very hard at what she does.
Just because this critic is male and has possibly never heard of her, doesn’t negate the impact of her work.
For those who don’t know, Taryn went viral about 10 years ago with a social media post which went against the flow. It featured a “before” photo of herself posing at a body building competition in a bikini, with an “after” shot, where she revealed all of her regular mum-bod, with only strategically placed limbs to protect her decency!
Perhaps because of this she has been given the label of an “influencer”, which to some people places her in a category of not very bright, self obsessed, human beings.
Taryn is a crusader for the Body Positive movement. She is also a writer and director, and the force behind the documentary, Embrace. Since then she’s travelled the world speaking from the podium about positive body image, and I’m sure she’s done a lot more behind the scenes.
Please Explain!
And as for the comment about only “frontline workers” being honoured with the Australian of the Year award – what about all the sportspeople that have been honoured over the years? What exactly have they contributed?
To disdain the importance of the Body Positive movement, is to ignore the fact that this is a MASSIVE mental health issue in our society today.
And then there was the comment that the winner of Australian of the Year shouldn’t be somebody making money out of what they do. Gosh, I guess that rules out most of the previous winners too!
What do you think the criteria should be for selecting our Australian of the Year?
Thanks for posting this Janet. I’ve been appalled at the negative comments on Taryn’s appointment as Australian of the Year. I think she fulfills everything you’d expect as criteria – has made a big difference in people’s lives (globally, not just in Australia), is inspiring, has brought body image and its impacts on mental health to the fore, and is a passionate advocate for her cause. I’m very glad I got to hear her speaking at the IWD event with you and Julia!