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PALMER HONOURED BY LIVING TREASURE NOMINATION

The National Living Treasures list was established in 1997 but the passing in recent years of eminent Australians such as opera legend Dame Joan Sutherland, aviator Nancy Bird Walton and artist Margaret Olley has prompted a search for more inclusions.

The National Trust in conjunction with Woman’s Day magazine has launched an Australia-wide vote to fill seven positions on the National Living Treasures list.

Mr Palmer, the chairman of resources group Mineralogy Pty Ltd and owner of Hyundai A-League football club Gold Coast United,  is one of 100 distinguished

Australians from a wide variety of fields who have been nominated.

“I am humbled to be included among this list of outstanding Australians,” he said.

“It would be a huge honour to be named one of the National Living Treasures, and it would also be a worthy recognition for Australia’s resources sector which contributes so much to our economy.”

The National Trust of Australia (NSW) CEO Brian Scarsbrick, AM, said: “The title National Living Treasure is conferred when someone accomplishes an outstanding achievement, swelling the country’s consciousness with admiration, pride and acknowledgement.

“It’s one that only 100 living Australians can truly claim.”

The 100 nominees for the 2012 National Living Treasures range in age from 19-year-old round the world sailor Jessica Watson to 102-year-old philanthropist Dame Elisabeth Murdoch.

Other nominees include Governor-General Quentin Bryce, former armed forces chief General Peter Cosgrove, Oscar winning actress Cate Blanchett and three-time world motor racing champion Sir Jack Brabham.

The seven new inductees will be announced in March. Votes can be submitted at http://womansday.ninemsn.com.au/celebrity/celebrityheadlines/8405013/national-living-treasures