About
Background History
The Australian Father of The Year Awards were created in 1957, and have for the past 25 years been nurtured by The Shepherd Centre in partnership with the Australian Father’s Day Council. In 2022, The Fathering Project became the natural home for the Australian Father of the Year Awards and will continue to work in partnership with the Australian Father’s Day Council to further develop the awards together.
Shining a light on the critical role of fathers in changing children’s lives
Raise awareness and advocate for positive fathering
Strive towards establishing equitable parenting
Focus on the wellbeing and future of Australian children
Purpose of the Awards
The Australian Father of the Year Awards celebrate and acknowledge the vital role that fathers play within families, and in the wider community.
The Australian Fathers Day Council and The Fathering Project select THREE distinguished fathers and ONE outstanding workplace who have demonstrated support, guidance and love to their child or other children through their working role or family life, to take out one of the following prestigious Australian Father of the Year Awards.
Award Categories
Australian Father of The Year
Selected by the Fathers Day Council and The Fathering Project
Australian Community Father of The Year
Nominated from the general public
Australian Sporting Father of the Year
Nominated from the general public
Australia's Best Workplace for Fathers
Nominated from the workplaces which create positive conditions for working dads
“Our mission is to educate, connect and empower fathers and father figures across Australia to prevent long term social, emotional and cognitive difficulties and create the conditions for children to thrive.”
Members of the Council
Maurice Newman AC Chair
Sunita Gloster
Martin Black
Talal Yassine OAM
Shane Fitzsimmons AO AFSM
Adam Liaw
