Cirrus@Austlit

'From law reform, groundbreaking medical research and humanitarian work to decades of service to the performing arts and everything in between — the achievements of those recognised in this year's Australia Day awards are endless.' 

'Patty Mills is the first book exploring the Indigenous Australian athlete and trail blazer—the first Indigenous Australian to win an NBA Championship in 2014 with the San Antonio Spurs. He continues to break records and inspire with his achievements, all of which are covered in this tribute to the extraordinary sportsman.

'In 2021 he led the Boomers to their first Olympic medal at the Tokyo Olympics, arguably the greatest single game played by anyone wearing the green-and-gold for an Australian men’s basketball team, and in 2022 he was awarded an AM (Member of the Order of Australia) for charitable initiatives in the Indigenous community and his contribution to basketball in the Australia Day honours.

'Award-winning sports writer Boti Nagy celebrates the star athlete’s achievements on the court and gives an overview of Australian basketball history, the Boomers, past Olympic campaigns, and standout players who paved the way for Patty Mills and others of his generation. Beyond basketball the book looks at Mills’ understanding of his identity as an Indigenous Australian through his family history and his off-court leadership efforts in creating pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as a spokesman and ambassador.'  (Publication summary)

'A number of book industry figures have been recognised in the annual Australia Day honours.'