Sue Packer has dedicated decades of her life to improving the lives of children who have been abused or neglected, and on Tuesday she was named the 2013 Canberra Citizen of the Year.
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Dr Packer, a paediatrician, has been a central figure in children's welfare in the capital since moving to Canberra in 1980, and Chief Minister Katy Gallagher called her a ''tireless advocate for our city's most vulnerable children'' in presenting her the community's most distinguished award.
''She has turned countless lives around, and has made Canberra a better, safer and happier place for many children and their families,'' Ms Gallagher said.
Dr Packer has been a paediatrician at the ACT Child at Risk Health Unit since 1990, and names the establishment of the unit as her proudest achievement.
''At the time, sexual abuse was the preoccupation of everybody and Health had applied for a sexual abuse unit in a very far-thinking move … we said yes, but it has to deal with all aspects of abuse, and we were ahead of Australia on that,'' she said.
''And it's very, very important because most forms of abuse don't occur in isolation. You have to have a broad understanding and our unit does provide that … you have to be at the forefront always to prevent abuse as well as treat abuse and neglect when it happens.''
Dr Packer was made a member of the Order of Australia in 1999 for services to child welfare, paediatrics and the public.
She has a long list of voluntary roles, all dedicated to the improvement of the lives of children, including serving on the board of the National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect.
Ms Gallagher joked that the only thing Dr Packer had failed at was retirement, but the mother and grandmother admits the field, which is often distressing, is not one she can walk away from.
''We've still got so much to learn about what works and doesn't work in helping families that have got abuse and neglect - in helping children who have been abused and neglected … we still have huge gaps in our knowledge.''
While her work ''has filled some of those gaps'', Dr Packer will continue to rally people to work together in improving the lives of children.
''For children to grow up with delight in life and confidence and competence, they have to live in a community prepared to watch out for them and recognise them as full present members of the community.
''A city which lives its commitment to children is an excellent place for all people to live, and this is my dream for Canberra as it enters its second century,'' she said.
Dr Packer succeeds Chris Peters as Citizen of the Year. She and Ms Gallagher paid tribute to her predecessor, who died a few weeks ago.
The ceremony also acknowledged 631 long-standing ACT citizens and more than 20 groups and businesses with Gold Awards, recognising their contribution to Canberra for more than 50 years.
