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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