ACT Australian of the Year 2010 awards go off with a BIG BANG

BIG BANGS CEO, Pierre Johannessen has been named ACT Young Australian of the Year

Canberra, Thursday 26 November 2009:

The BIG BANGS CEO, Pierre Johannessen has been awarded the title of ACT Young Australian of the Year.

Chief Minister Jon Stanhope presented Johannessen with the coveted award at the National Portrait Gallery recognising his tireless efforts in humanitarian aid globally.

Johannessen co-founded the BIG BANG BALLERS, an international NGO using the game of basketball to tackle youth poverty and social disadvantage. In the past 18 months the BIG BANGS have catered to over 8,500 children and donated more than $15,000 worth of equipment and resources to deserving charities, orphanages and school aimed at youth.

The BIG BANGS seek to teach the importance and value of teamwork while abolishing the inevitable divides between classes and social groups to unify people and communities. Most importantly, amidst the struggle of daily life, the BIG BANGS aim to provide an outlet for those children least able to be children.

“I am so humbled by this great honour. Without my team and the dedication of so many volunteers, I would not be where I am today.

Such a simple concept, using basketball as a means to fight poverty and social disadvantage, has proven so successful in such a short period of time because of the hard work of so many people around the world. I am so proud to be part of this extraordinary organisation.”

Pierre Johannessen, CEO, BIG BANGS and ACT Young Australian of the Year

Comments and quotes available:

Rieuk Gass, Communications Director – 0424 198 408 | rieuk@bigbangballers.org