Tennis star Dylan Alcott has had to flick the switch to “tennis mode” after he was named 2022’s Australian of the Year on Tuesday night. He is the first person with “a visible disability” to receive the honour in its 62-year history. The 31yo quad wheelchair champ said he was stoked because his purpose is “not to win tennis tournaments, it’s to change perceptions so people with disability live the lives that they deserve to live.” And he didn’t waste the opportunity while all eyes were on him, calling for free rapid tests for people with disabilities. He takes the reins from last year’s winner Grace Tame, whose frosty encounter with PM Scott Morrison also made headlines. As for the other winners, St John Ambulance volunteer Val Dempsey was named Senior Australian of the Year, and Dr Daniel Nour was named Young Australian of the Year for his work in providing medical support to vulnerable Aussies. Shanna Whan, the founder of Sober in the Country, was named Local Hero.