WA's Australian of the Year finalists announced for 2027

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 16 Oct, 02:32 · Archive

Four Western Australian finalists have been named for the 2027 Australian of the Year award.

Four Western Australians have been selected as finalists for the 2027 Australian of the Year award. The nominees are Eskimo Joe frontman Kav Temperley, Dr Emily Zhen, Professor Michael Wear and Esther Oh.

Dr Zhen has developed a precision preservation platform for transporting donor organs and tissues ahead of transplant surgery. The portable, reusable system actively controls temperature and can also transport blood and cells, with potential applications in emergency medicine, military use and veterinary science.

Esther Oh founded Agili8 after her son lost his vision due to delayed treatment. The telehealth solution uses smart glasses and smartphones to connect medical experts with patients in remote areas. In one case, a patient in Port Hedland was saved from deadly infection and potential amputation in 15 minutes using the service. Oh pioneered the system with remote Aboriginal communities to deliver culturally safe care.

Professor Michael Wear, a Malgana man, leads a seagrass restoration project at Shark Bay and founded Tidal Moon, an Indigenous-owned sea cucumber harvesting enterprise that researches health benefits. Temperley co-founded Eskimo Joe 30 years ago and mentors emerging musicians through his Fremantle studio and songwriting camps.

How it is being reported

• WA’s Australian of the Year Awards: Kav Temperley, Dr Emily Zhen and Professor Michael Wear among finalistsOne of WA’s favourite rockers and the brains behind a revolution for transporting human organs ahead of transplant surgeries are in the running to be WA's nominee for 2027 Australian of the YearPerth Now · 16 Oct, 02:14
• WA’s Australian of the Year Awards: Kav Temperley, Dr Emily Zhen and Professor Michael Wear among finalistsOne of WA’s favourite rockers and the brains behind a revolution for transporting human organs ahead of transplant surgeries are in the running to be WA's nominee for 2027 Australian of the YearThe West Australian · 16 Oct, 02:14

In this story: Kav Temperley · Dr Emily Zhen · Professor Michael Wear · Esther Oh · Eskimo Joe · Agili8 · Western Australia · Shark Bay

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