Celebrate the eight extraordinary state and territory recipients of the 2023 Australian of the Year Awards, including national winner Taryn Brumfitt. Learn about their lives, aspirations and experiences through objects of personal significance.
The 2023 Australian of the Year exhibition was on show at the National Museum of Australia from 14 December 2022 to 19 February 2023. It is available for touring.
Meet our eminent Australians
Explore the objects
The National Museum of Australia 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.

‘Maggot Robot’ control panel from Olympia Yarger

#SaveHakeem t-shirt from Craig Foster

T-shirt and family photographs from Samuel Bush-Blanasi

Clapsticks from William Barton

Embrace Unpuzzled from Taryn Brumfitt

Embracing the Human Struggles from John Kamara

Coffee mug and photograph from Angraj Khillan

Medal from Samar Aoun
Explore other categories
Meet the Australians nominated for senior, young and local hero awards.
The 2010 Local Hero, Ronni Kahn, has created a special artwork to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the award.
Supporters
The 2023 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:

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