Sydney, Jan. 25 : Former Australian fast bowler Glenn McGrath has described being a finalist for this year''s Australian of the Year as a "huge honour".

The NSW Australian of the Year said he was just trying to get through his life and make the most of it in the same way as anyone would.

"To be acknowledged in this way, it''s something very special. I''m sure there''s a lot of other people out there who probably deserve it more than me," Fox Sports quoted him, as saying.

Asked if his kids knew why they were in Canberra with him, he said they responded with "yeah, Australian of the Year".

"I guess it''s been a pretty big journey for them, especially for the last six, eight months."

McGrath lost his wife Jane to breast cancer in June last year.

Both he and Jane co-founded the McGrath Foundation - a charity that raises awareness of breast cancer and lobby to fund specialist breast care nurses.

Publicity for the foundation was boosted earlier this year during the third Test between Australia and South Africa in Sydney when the ground was bathed in a sea of pink. (ANI)