Lee in Line for Aussie of the Year

by lkatulka on December 18th, 2007

Image details: 36th CMAA Country Music Award Nominations Announced served by picapp.com

Country singer Lee Kernaghan is the bookies’ favourite to be named Australian of Year in January.

He’s well known for hits like “Boys from the Bush” and “Hat Town,” but when he’s not belting out a tune Lee donates him time to charities.

He raised more than $1 million for needy communities during his Pass the Hat Around tours and worked tirelessly to help those affected the drought.

“To many people, he represents the very essence of the spirit and values of contemporary rural Australia,” reads Lee’s official nomination.

Lee is nominated alongside social justice advocate Lin Hatfield, filmmaker Scott Hicks, pediatrician Professor Jonathon Carapetis, golfer Stuart Appleby, sailor Ken Page, dancer Stephen Page, and performer Mark Bin Bakar.

The winner will be announced on the lawns of Parliament House on January 25. A singer has not been named Australian of the Year since John Farnham got the nod in 1987.