MEDIA RELEASE
11 JANUARY 2024
WHO’S IN THE RUNNING FOR THE 2024 AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR AWARDS?
Awards to be announced 25 January 2024
australianoftheyear.org.au
The national nominees for the 2024 Australian of the Year Awards include community leaders, educators, volunteers environmental and animal advocates, medical researchers, changemakers and community creators.
From nominations submitted by the public, and the selection of State &Territory recipients in all four award categories, there are now 34 people in the running to be named 2024 Australian of the Year, 2024 Senior Australian of the Year, 2024 Young Australian of the Year and 2024 Australia’s Local Hero.
National Australia Day Council CEO, Mark Fraser AO CVO, said the national nominees represent what inspires Australians and makes us proud.
“Each of the national nominees were nominated by a member of the public, someone who was inspired by their achievements or contributions and believed their story should be shared with all Australians,” said Mr Fraser.
“Whether they have spent a lifetime helping others, are forging new pathways, breaking down barriers, bringing people together, challenging us to do better or demonstrating the potential we all have to achieve greatness, the national nominees are all showing us what it is to be exemplary citizens.”
The 2024 Australian of the Year Awards will be announced at the National Arboretum in Canberra on the evening of Thursday 25 January 2024.
The ceremony will be broadcast live on ABCTV and ABC iview from 7:30pm (AEDT).
The national nominees for the 2024 Australian of the Year Awards are:
2024 AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR NOMINEES
2024 Australian of the Year for the Australian Capital Territory - Joanne Farrell (Canberra)
2024 Australians of the Year for New South Wales - Prof Georgina Long AO & Prof Richard Scolyer AO (Sydney)
2024 Australian of the Year for the Northern Territory - Blair McFarland (Alice Springs)
2024 Australian of the Year for Queensland - Marco Renai (Gold Coast)
2024 Australian of the Year for South Australia - Tim Jarvis AM (Hyde Park)
2024 Australian of the Year for Tasmania - Stephanie Trethewey (Dunorlan)
2024 Australian of the Year for Victoria - Janine Mohamed (Gisborne)
2024 Australian of the Year for Western Australia - Mechelle Turvey (Perth)
2024 SENIOR AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR NOMINEES
2024 Senior Australian of the Year for the Australian Capital Territory - Ebenezer Banful OAM (Canberra)
2024 Senior Australian of the Year for New South Wales - John Ward (Georgetown, Newcastle)
2024 Senior Australian of the Year for the Northern Territory - Yalmay Yunupiŋu (Yirrkala)
2024 Senior Australians of the Year for Queensland - Reverend Robyn & Reverend Dr Lindsay Burch (Gold Coast)
2024 Senior Australian of the Year for South Australia - Sister Meredith Evans (Underdale)
2024 Senior Australian of the Year for Tasmania - Reverend James Colville AM (Bagdad)
2024 Senior Australian of the Year for Victoria - Glenys Oogjes (Heidelberg)
2024 Senior Australian of the Year for Western Australia - Charles Bass (Applecross)
2024 YOUNG AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR NOMINEES
2024 Young Australian of the Year for the Australian Capital Territory - Caitlin Figueiredo (Canberra)
2024 Young Australian of the Year for New South Wales - Nikhil Autar (Voyager Point)
2024 Young Australian of the Year for the Northern Territory - Peter Susanto (Darwin)
2024 Young Australian of the Year for Queensland - Emma McKeon AM (Gold Coast)
2024 Young Australian of the Year for South Australia - Tiahni Adamson (Adelaide)
2024 Young Australian of the Year for Tasmania - Naarah (Glenorchy)
2024 Young Australian of the Year for Victoria - Bhakta Bahadur Bhattarai (Wodonga)
2024 Young Australian of the Year for Western Australia - Kate Kirwin (Perth)
2024 AUSTRALIA'S LOCAL HERO NOMINEES
2024 Local Hero for the Australian Capital Territory - Selina Walker (Canberra)
2024 Local Hero for New South Wales - Angus Olsen (Katoomba)
2024 Local Hero for the Northern Territory - Witiyana Marika (Yirrkala)
2024 Local Hero for Queensland - David Elliott OAM (Winton)
2024 Local Hero for South Australia - Rachael Zaltron OAM (Ridgehaven)
2024 Local Hero for Tasmania - Clair Harris (Blackmans Bay)
2024 Local Hero for Victoria - Betul Tuna (Shepparton)
2024 Local Hero for Western Australia - Nick Hudson (Wembley)
For more information on the Australian of the Year Awards, visit australianoftheyear.org.au/
ENDS.
MEDIA CONTACT: Nicole Browne on 0414 673 762 / nicole@mediaopps.com.au
BIOS can be accessed on the Australian of the Year Awards website or attached media release pdf.
PHOTOS of national nominees from State & Territory Awards announcements in Oct/Nov 2023 or as supplied at links below – please note credits
ACT: ACT Media Distribution photos - High res (credit NADC/Salty Dingo)
NSW: NSW Media Distribution photos - High res (credit NADC/Salty Dingo)
NT: NT Media Distribution photos - High res (credit NADC/Salty Dingo)
QLD: QLD Media Distribution photos - High res (credit NADC/Salty Dingo)
SA: SA Media Distribution photos - High res (credit NADC/Salty Dingo)
TAS: TAS Media Distribution photos - High res (credit NADC/Salty Dingo)
VIC: VIC Media Distribution photos - High res (credit NADC/Salty Dingo)
WA: WA Media Distribution photos - High res (credit NADC/Salty Dingo)