Each year, the Australian of the Year Awards honour an exceptional group of highly respected Australians who ignite discussion and change on issues of national importance.
Senior Australian of the Year
Recognising Australians aged 65 and over who continue to achieve and make a difference.

Isabel Reid, Elder and Stolen Generations advocate, New South Wales

Bich Cam-Nguyen, founder Australian Vietnamese Women's Association, Victoria

Aunty McRose Elu, Torres Strait community and climate change advocate, Queensland

Dr Richard Walley OAM, reconciliation and cultural consultant, Western Australia

Professor Richard Bruggemann, disability advocate, South Australia

Brian Williams, Scout leader and mentor, Tasmania

Patricia Anderson AO, writer and Indigenous health advocate, Australian Capital Territory

Dr Miriam-Rose Ungunmerr Baumann AM, Aboriginal activist, educator and artist, Northern Territory
Young Australian of the Year
Celebrating inspiring 16 to 30 year olds who have accomplished great things.

Nathan Parker, pilot and athlete, New South Wales

Tayla Harris, footballer and respectful relationships ambassador, Victoria

William and Daniel Clarke, conservationists, Queensland

Grace Forrest, human rights campaigner, Western Australia

Isobel Marshall, social entrepreneur, South Australia

Toby Thorpe, youth empowerment and climate activist, Tasmania

Tara McClelland, youth worker and advocate, Australian Capital Territory

Stuart McGrath, Aboriginal health practitioner, Northern Territory
Australia’s Local Hero
Acknowledging people making a difference in their local community.

Rosemary Kariuki, advocate for migrant and refugee women, New South Wales

Dr Kirby White, Founder of Gowns for Doctors, Victoria

Natasha Johnston, charity founder, Queensland

Rebecca Prince-Ruiz, environmentalist, Western Australia

Russell Ebert OAM, leader of youth and anti-violence programs, South Australia

Edna Pennicott, charity founder, Tasmania

Timothy Miller, charity founder and environmentalist, Australian Capital Territory

Sergeant Erica Gibson, police officer and family safety activist, Northern Territory
How are the winners chosen?
The awards operate in several stages. They start at the community level, with nominations being invited from the public. State and territory selection panels choose finalists in each of the 4 award categories, with one person being announced as the state or territory award recipient.
The final stage is when the board of the National Australia Day Council chooses the 4 Australians of the Year, announced on the eve of Australia Day each year.

A special trophy is given to each recipient across the 4 Australian of the Year Award categories.
The trophies are designed and produced by staff and students of the Glass Workshop at the Australian National University.
This exhibition was developed by the National Museum of Australia in collaboration with the National Australia Day Council. Images supplied by the National Australia Day Council.
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