Cynthia Morton, CEO and Founder of Emotional Fitness, wins the 2007 Pride of Australia Medal for the category of Role Model today.
The annual Pride of Australia Medal program is about recognising the countless people who embody Australian values such as bravery, compassion and give selflessly to their fellow Australians with little or no recognition.
Chairman and CEO of News Limited, John Hartigan, said that since its inception in 2005, the Pride of Australia medal has grown from strength to strength.
"The awards have generated more than 7,000 nominations across the country. We have uncovered stories about everyday Australians who have made extraordinary contributions to their communities that would have otherwise gone untold," says Mr Hartigan.
In accepting the Award, Cynthia said, "I think when people need to heal from any sort of trauma they need to look in the eyes of someone else who has come through the other side."
"I think one of the most tragic things that can happen to a human being is not so much the trauma, it's the hopelessness and the shame."
"We help people get started, and for many people who want to heal from trauma, they also have great shame about an addiction," she said. "It's sometimes too big a jump to go to a clinical specialist or a public meeting, and we have a very gentle approach with people.
"We help people with any sort of trauma, it can be sexual abuse or domestic violence, and for some people it's emotional neglect, death of a loved one or a sibling."
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