Alumni News

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his fiancé Jodie Haydon visited Australia’s very own Jurassic Park in Winton, QLD in July after being invited by 2024 Australia's Local Hero David Elliott OAM.

The 2024 Australian of the Year Luncheon in South Australia provided a platform for this year’s Australian and South Australian Award recipients (pictured above right) to share their invaluable work with the state. 550 people attended the Luncheon held by the Australia Day Council of SA and charity partner Cancer Council SA, raising $8,200 in the process!

Meanwhile, in a partnership between the Australia Day Council of the NT and Library & Archives NT, 2024 VIC Young Australian of the Year Bhakta Bhattarai flew in to join 2020 NT Young Australian of the Year Peter Susanto as inspiring speakers for the OZ Forum: 'A Journey into Human Greatness.'  Two young Australians to watch!

 

Dylan Alcott's new kids book cover

Game on

2022 Australian of the Year Dylan Alcott is releasing a brand new series of kids’ books inspired by his life, with book one following all the fun and drama of starting high school. He hopes the books will help normalise and celebrate disability, difference and inclusion.
See Dylan's Instagram for more info
Photo of Naarah

Naarah wins at National NAIDOC Week Awards

This year’s award winners were announced at the National NAIDOC Week Awards Ceremony. And they included none other than 2024 TAS Young Australian of the year Naarah, who took out the 2024 Creative Talent Award. Congrats, Naarah!
Learn more

The Year That Made Jo

From apprentice carpenter to general manager of a major company, 2024 ACT Australian of the Year Joanne Farrell had to build her own path in the world of construction. So she set up Build Like a Girl to help girls and women get an easier start in trades than she had. Find out why 2007 was the year that made her.
Listen now on ABC

Two alumni feature on Stories Of Us podcast

They're inspiring true stories about locals from the real regional Australia. In each episode, the host sits down with a well-known and well-respected member of their community to share their story and understand what it’s like to live in regional Australia.
Listen to both podcasts
2021 QLD Australian of the Year Dr Dinesh Palipana OAM recalls fond memories of Byron Bay, the idyllic NSW coastal town where he spent his formative years. While 2022 WA Australian of the Year Paul Litherland's upbringing in Albany, WA, exposed him to the harsh realities of domestic violence within his own family.
Listen to both podcasts

AUSTRALIANS OF THE YEAR HIT THE NT

It was a jam-packed itinerary for our 2024 Australians of the Year as part of their Northern Territory Tour of Honour.

Professors Richard Scolyer AO and Georgina Long AO were welcomed to Larrakia Country with a Saltwater Ceremony in Darwin. They made it to East Arnhem Land to visit 2024 Senior Australian of the Year  Yalmay Yunupiŋu for a lesson in bush medicine and 2024 NT Local Hero Witiyana Marika in their Yirrkala community. 1997 Young Australian of the Year Nova Peris OAM also joined them. 

An epic tour and one they'll never forget.

Photo of Australians of the Year in Winton

Visiting David's dinosaurs

It was the perfect kickoff for our 2025 Awards nominations campaign! 2024 co-Australian of the Year Professor Richard Scolyer AO, 2022 Senior Australian of the Year Valmai Dempsey, 2024 WA Local Hero Nick Hudson and the dinosaur man himself, 2024 Australia's Local Hero David Elliott OAM, were live on Channel 7 Sunrise from David's Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum.
Who would you nominate?
Breakfast with Mechelle Turvey

Breakfast with Mechelle Turvey

It was an emotional and inspiring morning when 2024 WA Australian of the Year Mechelle Turvey participated in The Accidental Leader, an Inspiring Australians’ breakfast event with Auspire – Australia Day Council WA. Mechelle quoted words of advice from her grandmother, shed tears with her mum and sister and created plenty of laughs as well.
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Motherland receives $1 million investment

$1million investment in Motherland

The Queensland Government has made a $1 million investment in Motherland over three years. This funding will enable 2024 TAS Australian of the Year Stephanie Trethewey to deliver more services, support, and connection for rural mothers across Queensland. It's the first investment of its kind into rural motherhood nationally.
Read more

THE FUTURE IS LOOKING BRIGHTER WITH THIS CREW

Student Edge, a national community hub empowering and supporting students, profiled some of our 2024 Young Australians of the Year recently. 

They shared what being recognised meant to them and what advice they'd give to young people.

Read more

Portrait of Baker Boy wins

A spray-painted portrait of Baker Boy has been awarded the 2024 Archibald Packing Room Prize. Danzal Baker OAM was our 2019 Young Australian of the Year. He congratulated artist Matt Adnate: “It’s unreal to see how he captures me as I am today, reflecting my love for music and a deep connection to my home of Arnhem Land, seen through the soulful reflection in the eyes.”

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Naarah brings the glitz and glamour of musical theatre

2024 TAS Young Australian of the Year and all-round amazing performer Naarah was over the moon to announce her new show on ABC Classic national radio talking about what she loves: musical theatre! All the way from Broadway to Brisbane and everything in between, catch Naarah on Thursday nights, 7pm, on ABC's The Musical Show.

Listen now

The Year That Made Me on ABC digs deep to explore turning points in extraordinary people's lives. Australians of the Year make regular appearances!

Did you catch 2024 Australia's Local Hero David Elliott OAM (2006), 2024 WA Australian of the Year Mechelle Turvey (2022), 2024 QLD Australian of the Year Marco Renai (2020) and 2024 VIC Senior Australian of the Year Glenys Oogjes (1980)?