Since its inception in 1960, the Australian of the Year Awards (Awards) has provided a focal point for
Australia Day celebrations and a forum to acknowledge the outstanding achievements of Australians.
The Awards recognise inspiring individuals who lead as role models for their communities, their state and
the nation and are presented across four categories:
Australian of the Year—celebrating the achievements and contributions of eminent
Australians who are role models for us all.
Senior Australian of the Year—recognising those Australians aged 65 and over who
continue to achieve and make a difference.
Young Australian of the Year—celebrating inspiring 16 to 30 year olds who have
accomplished great things in all walks of life.
Australia's Local Hero—acknowledges people making a difference in their local
community.
The 2025 Queensland recipients will be announced in November 2024 and represent the state in the national
ceremony in Canberra on the eve of Australia Day 2025.
Marco is the founder of Men of Business (MOB) Academy, a senior secondary school
focused on empowering at-risk-young men with the skills, knowledge and
confidence to be happy, healthy and successful.
After experiencing troubles at school as a teen and later volunteering in youth
justice, Marco realised there were no programs for young men who struggled to
engage with life and education.
In 2011 he piloted the first MOB program and in 2020 his community raised $1
million to open the MOB Academy, which is now a federal and state-funded
accredited academy with 195 thriving students and thousands of past graduates.
Reverend Robyn and Reverend Dr Lindsay
Burch Founders of Havafeed Relief
Founders of not-for-profit organisation Havafeed Relief, Robyn and Lindsay have
been helping the Gold Coast community since 1994, providing assistance and
relief with hot meals and food parcels.
Havafeed currently provides more than 300 meals a week to disadvantaged families,
pensioners, the homeless and victims of domestic violence. Over the last 30
years, their charity has raised almost $2 million in donations and has fed more
than one million people.
Emma is the most successful Australian in Olympic history – a title she claimed
before her 28th birthday.
A highly decorated swimmer, Emma has claimed numerous medals and broken
Commonwealth Games, Olympic and World records. At the 2020 Summer Olympics, Emma
became the first female swimmer and the second woman in history to win seven
medals in a single Olympics.
Queensland’s Emma McKeon AM was named the 2024 Young Australian of the Year,
recognising her success as Australia’s most decorated Olympian along with
advocating for disadvantaged children and youth through her ambassador role with
UNICEF Australia.
David Elliott OAM Founder of
Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum of Natural History and outback tourism
advocate
David’s chance discovery of a dinosaur fossil during routine sheep mustering in
1999 led to the revival of Australia’s palaeontology field – and the creation of
a palaeo-tourism industry that put outback Queensland on the map.
In 2002, David and his wife Judy founded the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum
of Natural History which now houses Australia’s most significant collection of
fossils from the country’s largest dinosaurs.
Queensland’s David Elliott OAM was named 2024 Local Hero for his dedication to
preserving Australia’s Natural History through the Australian Age of Dinosaurs
Museum and creating outback tourism opportunities for rural Queensland.
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and Australian of the Year Awards updates and remember to Reflect, Respect and
Celebrate the outstanding achievements of our fellow Australians.
The Australian of the Year Awards is a program of the National Australia Day Council, managed in Queensland
by the Queensland Government.
