2021 AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR AWARDS FINALISTS
WHO’S IN THE RUNNING FOR NATIONAL AWARDS?
Awards to be announced 25 January 2021
Health leaders, bushfire heroes, pandemic helpers, scientists, environmental guardians, human rights advocates and Indigenous leaders are among the inspiring Australians now in the running for the 2021 Australian of the Year Awards to be announced on the evening of 25 January 2021.
Public nominations for the 2021 Australian of the Year Awards closed in July 2020. State and territory nominees were selected from these public submissions and recipients then announced during October and November 2020. These state and territory award recipients are now the national finalists.
There are 33 finalists across four award categories:
- 2021 Australian of the Year
- 2021 Senior Australian of the Year
- 2021 Young Australian of the Year
- 2021 Australia’s Local Hero
National Australia Day Council CEO, Ms Karlie Brand, said the national finalists reflected the many faces of Australian society and the many ways in which many Australians contributed in times of crisis.
“The past year has been particularly challenging and many of the finalists have shown incredible leadership or stepped up to help in extraordinary ways,” said Ms Brand.
“At the same time, ongoing social issues and challenges continue. Many of the award finalists are champions of causes and issues which require long-term dedication and passion.
“These are the people who make our nation and our communities great – real people doing important work and showing leadership when it’s needed most.”
The national finalists for the 2021 Australian of the Year Awards are:
2021 AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR FINALISTS
ACT Professor Brendan Murphy - Former Chief Medical Officer to the Federal Government
NSW Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons AFSM - Ex-NSW Fire Commissioner, leader of Resilience NSW
NT Dr Wendy Page - Global expert in Aboriginal health
QLD Dr Dinesh Palipana OAM - Advocate for doctors with disabilities
SA Tanya Hosch - Leader, changemaker and visionary
TAS Grace Tame - Advocate for survivors of sexual assault
VIC Donna Stolzenberg - Founder and CEO, the National Homeless Collective
WA Professor Helen Milroy - Australia’s first Indigenous doctor
2021 SENIOR AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR FINALISTS
ACT Patricia Anderson AO - Writer and advocate for the health of Australia’s First Peoples
NSW Isabel Reid - Elder and advocate for the Stolen Generation
NT Dr Miriam-Rose Ungunmerr Baumann AM - Aboriginal activist, educator and artist
QLD Aunty McRose Elu - Advocate for Torres Strait communities and climate change
SA Professor Richard Bruggemann - Disability advocate
TAS Brian Williams - Scout leader and mentor
VIC Bich Cam Nguyen - Founder, CEO, Honorary Secretary, Australian Vietnamese Women’s Assoc
WA Dr Richard Walley OAM - Champion of Aboriginal culture
2021 YOUNG AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR FINALISTS
ACT Tara McClelland - Advocate for the rights of young people
NSW Nathan Parker - Pilot, Invictus Games gold medallist
NT Stuart McGrath - Aboriginal health practitioner
QLD Daniel & William Clarke - Conservationists for the endangered orangutan
SA Isobel Marshall - Social entrepreneur
TAS Toby Thorpe - Advocate for youth empowerment and climate action
VIC Tayla Harris - Footballer, boxer, respectful relationships ambassador
WA Grace Forrest - Founder and director of Walk Free
2021 AUSTRALIA'S LOCAL HERO
ACT Timothy Miller - Founder of Lids4Kids
NSW Rosemary Kariuki - Advocate for migrant and refugee women
NT Erica Gibson - Police officer and safer communities advocate
QLD Natasha Johnston - Founder and Director of Drought Angels
SA Russell Ebert OAM - Respectful relationships advocate
TAS Edna Pennicott OAM - Founder of Kingborough Helping Hands
VIC Dr Kirby White - Founder of Gowns for Doctors
WA Rebecca Prince-Ruiz - Founder of Plastic Free July
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
PHOTOS: Of national finalists can be downloaded from here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/yxmm0ay8ru4gkuk/AADGs2Nc1qzLHoNPmZbZioDIa?dl=0
Please credit Salty Dingo for photos.
For more information on the Australian of the Year Awards visit https://www.australianoftheyear.org.au/nominate/frequently-asked-questions/