Patrick Johnson (Kaanju)

Biography

Patrick Johnson can proudly claim to be Australia’s fastest man. As the only Australian ever to break the 10-second barrier for the 100m, Patrick’s speed and determination to succeed made him a star of the Australian athletics scene. His PB of 9.93 which he set in Mito, Japan in 2003 made him the first man of non-African descent to break 10 seconds.

Patrick represented Australia at the 2000 and 2004 Olympic Games, as well as 2002, 2006 and 2010 Commonwealth Games. Johnson was a part of the team that made the final of the 4x100m at the 2004 Athens Games as well as the 4x100m at the 2005 Helsinki world championships.

Patrick has had an extensive career that includes 10 years in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and more than 20 years of advocacy work for equal rights for all Australia’s through health, education and wellbeing. He has worked for the Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance NT (AMSANT) as the Indigenous Leadership project officer, supporting, developing and nurturing leaders in the 25 community controlled health services across the NT.