The life work of Alan Mackay-Sim is worthy of his award as Australian of the Year. Often in scientific research, finding something does not work is as important as the opposite (Poles apart: Australian of the Year in row over who helped man walk, Australian,28-29/1). Only after you have discounted all the other options is the real mechanism discovered. I salute our Australian of the Year as a man who dedicated his life to trying to restore hope and a full chance of life to thousands of paraplegics. The council has chosen well in 2017. Alan Sexton, North Parramatta, NSW. 30Jan2017.