This exhibition paid tribute to the eight extraordinary state and territory recipients of the 2019 Australian of the Year Awards, including national winners Richard Harris and Craig Challen.
The 2019 Australian of the Year exhibition was on show at the National Museum of Australia from 13 December 2018 to 17 February 2019.
Meet our eminent Australians
Explore the objects
The National Museum uses objects to tell stories, to connect with others and make us think. We asked the Australian of the Year recipients from each state and territory to choose an object of personal significance to go on display. Each object tells us something about their lives, aspirations and experiences.
![A hardbound book stands beside two rope knots. - click to view larger image](https://www.nma.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0004/599062/MA82981713-Challen-object-1200w.jpg)
Knots book and samples from Craig Challen
![Scuba diving regular piece made of metal and rubber, in front of a framed certificate with red wax seal. - click to view larger image](https://www.nma.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0007/599065/MA82981810-Harris-object-1200h.jpg)
![A bright pink, knitted beanie. - click to view larger image](https://www.nma.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0009/599067/MA83155438-Haussegger-object-1200h.jpg)
![Two 'Harness' brand black cycling gloves beside a black cycling helmet with green trim. - click to view larger image](https://www.nma.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0005/599063/MA83155232-Fearnley-object-1200w.jpg)
Racing helmet and gloves from Kurt Fearnley
![A pair of black, rubber 'reef' style sandals with white hibiscus print on the straps. - click to view larger image](https://www.nma.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0010/599068/MA83154795-Long-object-1200w.jpg)
Sandals from Michael Long
![A small black glass scorpion with reared tail beside circular path showing a scorpion and the words 'Task Force Argos Internet Child Exploitation/Leave no stone unturned'. - click to view larger image](https://www.nma.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0005/599432/MA83243518-Rouse-object-1200w.jpg)
Glass scorpion and patch from Jon Rouse
![Book standing beside the open pages of a typed manuscript. - click to view larger image](https://www.nma.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0011/599060/MA83155590-Black-object-1200w.jpg)
Manuscript and book from Bernadette Black
![Statue of a boy in a loin cloth leading a man wearing robes. The boy holds a stick in his right hand. The other end of the stick is held by the man. - click to view larger image](https://www.nma.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0011/599069/MA83189486-Sullivan-object-1200h.jpg)
Supporters
The 2019 Australian of the Year exhibition was developed by the National Museum of Australia in collaboration with the National Australia Day Council. Portrait images supplied by the National Australia Day Council.
The National Australia Day Council would like to thank the following sponsors for their continued support of the Australian of the Year Awards program:
![Logos of organisations supporting the Australian of the Year 2019 including Woolworths, Australian Government Department of Health, Australian Government Department of Home Affairs, ABC, Fairfax Media, Qantas, InterContinental Hotels Group and Australian National University.](https://www.nma.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0004/598909/AOTY-2017-logos-1200w.jpg)
This exhibition was also on show at:
- Shellharbour City Museum, New South Wales, 10 April to 27 May 2019
- Cobb+Co Museum, Toowoomba, Queensland, 4 July to 14 August 2019
- Casuarina Library, Darwin, Northern Territory, 21 August to 15 September 2019
- Godinymayin Yijard Rivers Arts & Culture Centre, Katherine, Northern Territory, 20 September to 26 October 2019