Until 10 February 2021 | Gandel Atrium
Celebrate the 8 extraordinary state and territory recipients of the 2021 Australian of the Year Awards. Learn about their lives, aspirations and experiences through objects of personal significance.
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 to choose an object of personal significance to go display. Each object tells us something about their lives, aspirations and experiences.

Medical scrubs from Dinesh Palipana

Photograph from Tanya Hosch

Statuette of Ganesh from Donna Stolzenberg

Rural Fire Brigade award from Shane Fitzsimmons

Necklace and The Dance of Life from Helen Milroy

Book of signatures from Grace Tame

COVID-19 Emergency Response Plan from Brendan Murphy

Miwatj Health shirt from Wendy Page

Serenity prayer from Wendy Page
Explore other categories
Meet the Australians nominated for senior, young and local hero awards.
Touring exhibition
The 2021 Australian of the Year Awards exhibition will be touring Western Australia. If you are interested in hosting the exhibition, please email touring@nma.gov.au
Supporters
The 2021 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:
