A prize that pales all others

Rodney Croome (above), the first Australian of the Year finalist to be recognised for work on LGBTI issues and equality, reflects on the awards and what it meant to him.

On Sunday, with only hours to go before the Australian of the Year for 2015 was to be announced, state and territory finalists and their spouses were introduced to the Prime Minister at Parliament House.

The weekend had been tiring but also wonderful.

I know it sounds like a cliché but I was dazzled by the other finalists. Their achievements have inspired me to do more, and do it more effectively.

It also sounds like a cliché when I say I would have been happy for any of them to be named Australian of the Year, but it’s true.

I felt no regret when Rosie Batty was announced.

Preventing family violence is profoundly important and Rosie’s deep reservoirs of strength and resilience make her one of the best people to lead on the issue.

The only disappointment I felt was that no Tasmanians were named in any category.

Indeed, in the award’s 55-year history no Tasmanians have ever won Australian of the Year.

What’s more, in all that time only one finalist, yours truly, has been recognised for their work on LGBTI issues.

Rodney Croome with PM Tony Abbott and other finalists in this year’s Australian of the Year Awards

I try not to believe this is because both groups are considered marginal to the national story.

Instead, I hope to see that drought lifted in years to come.

As we were ushered towards Tony Abbott, my reservoirs of strength and resilience began to run dry.

I felt a weight of expectation to “shirtfront” him over marriage equality but I’m naturally shy and much prefer gentle persuasion than confrontation.

As it happened, news coverage of overseas adoption gave me an entré.

It is unclear whether the new federal agency unveiled that day, to guide couples through the overseas adoption process, will treat same-sex couples equally.

He said I should follow up with his office.

My next question was to be about a marriage equality free vote but before I spoke he thanked me for my work and the conversation moved on.

Opportunity lost? Not quite.

As we moved forward in the queue to meet the PM, my partner Raf and I noticed the couples before us were holding hands so we did too.

It was our small way to declare that our relationship is equally valuable and should be equal in law. It was also Raf’s way to reassure me of his love whatever the day held.

You could say we were making a point, but if we were it was that love is a prize against which all others pale.

Rodney Croome is the 2015 Tasmanian Australian of the Year for his work on LGBTI equality including in marriage. He is the Campaign Co-ordinator of the Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group and the National Convener of Australian Marriage Equality. Visit his blog at rodneycroome.id.au