Dylan Alcott grew up hating his disability. Now, he believes it's the best thing that's ever happened to him.
As 2022 Australian of the Year, the wheelchair tennis champion and Paralympian is determined to change how society sees people with disabilities.
"Winning grand slams and gold medals isn't my purpose. It's like, the 30th priority of my life," Alcott said as he accepted the honour in Canberra on Tuesday night.
"My purpose is changing perceptions so people like me can get out there and live the lives they deserve to live.
"It was my purpose yesterday, today and my purpose as your Australian of the Year for the next 12 months and beyond."
It's the first time in the award's 62-year program a person with a disability has been named Australian of the Year.
"I love my disability. It is the best thing that ever happened to me. It really is. And I'm so thankful for the life that I get to live," the 31-year-old said.
A true Aussie larrikin, Alcott said he hadn't considered himself a chance for the top award until he arrived and saw a ramp to the podium.
"Standing ovations are one of the most ironic things in the world, by the way," he quipped.
Being named Australian of the Year was Alcott's second win of the day, hours after he cruised through to another men's wheelchair final at the Australian Open in Melbourne.
Alcott acknowledged the challenges of COVID-19.
"The last two years have been so tough on so many people and to," he said.
"I feel honestly ridiculous being here. To our front-line workers, our nurses, our doctors, people running our vaccines, ambulances, firefighters. You deserve this much more than a guy who hits tennis balls and loves talking."
Alcott also paid tribute to outgoing Australian of the Year Grace Tame, who used the evening to promote the Grace Tame Foundation, tasked with combating the sexual abuse of children.
"Tame, you are fierce and I love it. And you have done so much for your cause and if I could be an eighth of the Australian of the Year that you were, I think I've done my job."
National Australia Day Council chair Danielle Roche said Alcott's 2021 Golden Slam - winning four grand slams in a year - "is an incredible feat, the first for any male tennis player".
"Dylan is an inspirational Australian on and off the tennis court.
"Through the Dylan Alcott Foundation, he is giving young Australians facing disadvantage the promise of a better future."
Alcott was among eight finalists vying for the honour. A frontrunner had been fellow athlete, basketball player and Indigenous rights activist Patty Mills.
Mills was not at Tuesday night's awards as he plays NBA in the US.
Long-serving St John Ambulance volunteer Valmai Dempsey was named Senior Australian of the Year at the same ceremony on Tuesday night.
Recovered alcoholic and Sober in the Country founder Shanna Whan became Australia's Local Hero.
Sydney doctor Daniel Nour, 26, took out the Young Australian of the Year honour.
"The nominees here tonight - like the land from which they are drawn - are diverse, and different. Men, women, who strive and study, argue and engage, and who love and care for their community and our country," Prime Minister Scott Morrison told the ceremony.
