Outgoing Victorian chief health officer Brett Sutton has been named 2023 Victorian of the Year for his role giving his all in Victoria’s most difficult time during the pandemic.
Professor Sutton accepted the honour at a Victoria Day celebration at Melbourne’s Town Hall on Friday.
He last month resigned as the state’s top public health official to take up a new role as director of health and biosecurity at CSIRO.
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He admitted he was nearly crushed by the pressure of overseeing the state’s COVID-19 response and, on reflection, would have done some things differently.
Brett Sutton has been honoured for his role as Victoria’s chief health official during the pandemic.
Credit: AAP
The honour was awarded by the Victoria Day Council, which is separate to the Australia Day Council awards.
Victorian minister Gayle Tierney did not consider Sutton as a controversial selection.
“He was an absolute stalwart right through the COVID lockdowns,” Tierney told reporters.
“He put in so much time, effort and energy in making sure that we had the right settings, and I absolutely applaud his work.
“Every Victorian owes Brett Sutton an enormous amount given how he gave, essentially, his life to the cause over Victoria’s most difficult period of time.”
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