AAP


Australian of the Year finalist Ita Buttrose reckons more citizens are seeing Australia Day as an occasion to reflect on what it means to be an Aussie.


The high profile former magazine editor says being a finalist for the major annual award is a fantastic opportunity to meet others who have contributed in extraordinary ways to the country.


"In this day and age, it's become a day when a lot of us reflect more than we once did on what it does mean to be Australian, what we get from our country and what we can do to give back to it," she told reporters at the official 2013 Australian of the Year finalists lunch in Canberra on Friday.


"I personally think it's a day when you should always cherish the freedom we have in this country, the freedom to speak and the freedom to move around freely."


Senior Australian of the Year Queensland finalist Laurie Lawrence, a former Olympic swim coach who has campaigned tirelessly on water safety, said being nominated was a humbling experience.


He said he always thought Australian heroes were those who stared down microscopes or cared for disabled children.


Mr Lawrence said being able to promote his "Kids Alive - Do the Five" campaign was important, noting drownings in the under five age group had fallen to 21, from 63, in recent years.


"People say fantastic," he said.


"I say that's a busload of kids - that's 21 Aussies that won't see Australia Day next year.


"If we can continue to push the message and the country gets behind it, then I believe zero pre-school drownings is possible and it certainly would be as good as putting any man on the moon."