2025 is the 65th anniversary of the Australian of the Year Awards. A group of former Australians of the Year came to Canberra for the 2025 Awards program and national announcement. They included 2015's Rosie Batty AO, 1967's Keith Potger AO and Athol Guy AO from The Seekers and 2005's Dr Fiona Wood AM. It was amazing to have so many Australians of influence and impact in the one place.
Special guests at Cafe Stepping Stone
Cafe Stepping Stone, the social enterprise founded by 2025 Local Heroes Vanessa Brettell and Hannah Costello, received some special visitors recently. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stopped by with fiancé Jodie to meet the staff and learn more. We're told Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC has also visited the cafe of late, along with visiting 2025 WA Local Hero Dr Jacinta Vu at her Perth Healing Smiles clinic. She also visited 2025 Australians of the Year for Western Australia, farming pioneers Dianne and Ian Haggerty.
See the Governor General's WA visit to Healing SmilesTURBANS 4 AUSTRALIA IN LA
2023 Local Hero Amar Singh has brought his incredible Turbans 4 Australia charity to Los Angeles.
As communities pick up the pieces after devastating wildfires, Amar and his team are selflessly handing out free meals to victims of the disaster, showing the true spirit of Australian generosity.
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"too outspoken"
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"too passionate"
Alumni in Australia Day Honours
Some of our alumni were recognised in the Australia Day Honours 2025 list appointed by the Governor-General of Australia: - 1978 Australian of the Year, the late Galarrwuy Yunupingu AC - 2022 Senior Australian of the Year Valmai Dempsey OAM - 2023 WA Australian of the Year Professor Samar Aoun AM - 2022 QLD Local Hero Saba Abraham OAM - 2022 WA Senior Australian of the Year, Jan Standen OAM - 2022 WA Young Australian of the Year Kendall Whyte OAM - 2022 Australia's Local Hero Shanna Whan AM
Understand the four levels of the awards365+ Ways to Save the Planet
You may think that living sustainably is too hard and expensive, but that's not the case! In her book 365+ Ways to Save the Planet and Your Money at the Same Time, Banish founder and 2023 NSW Young Australia of the Year Lottie Dalziel offers the best ideas to help you be kind to the earth and your bank account. Lottie offers both the encouragement and the knowledge we all need to do a few little things to make a big difference.
Learn more
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The year that made Witiyana
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Ash hosts golf charity day
In conversation with Richard
Joint 2024 Australian of the Year Professor Richard Scolyer AO has spent his medical career saving the lives of people with melanoma. Then, suddenly, a tumour was discovered in his brain and the diagnosis was terminal. Richard and fellow 2024 Australian of the Year Professor Georgina Long AO decided to try something completely radical.
Listen on ABC Conversations
Amplifying their voices
Ten Australian of the Year Awards recipients took part in a deliberation on housing run by AMPLIFY.
Coming together from across Australia, they deliberated on and shortlisted from 46 housing reform proposals, assessing each proposal on impact, feasibility and value for Australians. In February, 100 Australians will come together to find 'uncommon ground' on reforms to improve housing affordability, security and choice through Australia’s first national public deliberation on the subject.
A great experience and platform for Australians to be heard on issues that impact us all.
Pictured: Nick Hudson/WA, Belinda Young/VIC, Melissa Redsell OAM/QLD, Christine Robertson OAM/SA, Amar Singh/NSW, Clair Harris/TAS, Bernie Shakeshaft/NSW, Selina Walker/ACT, Blair McFarland/NT, Professor Frank Oberklaid AM/VIC
King Charles meets Australians of the Year
Our 2024 Australians of the Year, Professor Georgina Long AO and Professor Richard Scolyer AO, met with Their Majesties at the Melanoma Institute during their recent visit. Other Australians of the Year and alumni also attended a Parliamentary Reception with the King and Queen: • David Elliott OAM - 2024 Australia's Local Hero • Joanne Farrell - 2024 ACT Australian of the Year • Tick and Kate Everett - 2019 Australia's Local Heroes • Danzel Baker OAM - 2019 Young Australian of the Year • Dawn Fraser AC MBE - 1964 Australian of the Year • Suzanne Packer - 2019 Senior Australian of the Year • Daniel Nour – 2022 Young Australian of the Year
Read more from Melanoma Institute Australia