It’s NAIDOC Week to celebrate/recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and Professor Kelvin Kong has been recognised as the Person of the Year. Kong, a Worimi man and Australia’s first Indigenous surgeon, accepted the award “on the back of terrible ear statistics”. Middle-ear disease disproportionately impacts remote Indigenous communities (and particularly kids), with 40-85% suffering from recurring perforated eardrums. King is an ear/nose/throat specialist who says he’s “embarrassed” that our “first world country has a third world health statistic”. Also shining at the ceremony, award winner Rachel Perkins urged Aussies to back the ‘Yes’ vote in the upcoming Voice referendum. “Stand with us, Australia,” the Yes23 campaigner said. The group held events around Australia yesterday and is ramping up its ad spend in the face of sliding poll results.