Meet the 2022 Senior Australian of the Year nominees who are changing the world

A vision for equality, fairness, respect, honesty, understanding and responsibility could summarise the 2022 Senior Australians of the Year candidates.

But their causes are much broader than that.

The eight candidates, listed here alphabetically, have been champions of diversity and change their entire lives.

But all their inspiration started with one moment in time.

'I'm not marrying her legs'

Robyne's father, Roy Sutton, was asked a very strange question by a man named Ron Burridge.

Ron asked if he could marry his daughter.

"Dad looked quite horrified," she said.

"Dad was still very, very suspicious of Ron and said, 'But you can go out and get anybody.'

"Ron said, 'The two most important things are: one, Robyne and I really love one another. And secondly, I'm not marrying her legs.'"

They were wed in 1974.

Ms Burridge was 29 and was born with cerebral palsy, affecting both her lower limbs.

She started walking late, aged about seven or eight, and began using a wheelchair about four years ago after getting around on walking sticks most of her life.

Her own experience of being feared and excluded has driven her to force change.

"We have to change people's attitudes, and people with disabilities really are the only ones that can do that," she said.

"We have to be able to encourage people to tell their story, and show that although their legs might work properly, they will be able to not only live a very happy life themselves, but also contribute to other people's lives."

"My challenge to society is to be inclusive of people with disabilities.

"Don't look at the disability that a person may have. Look at the person. Listen to what the person has to say and the things they want to achieve in life."