Australian of the Year

Body-shamed elite athletes share their experience

2023 Australian of the Year Taryn Brumfitt has enlisted the support of former Olympic swimmer Libby Trickett to host a video masterclass that helps community sports to protect young people’s body image. The Activate Masterclass is the latest resource in the Activate by Embrace Kids program, following the successful launch of a free Playbook for clubs in December last year.

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.

2021 QLD Australian of the Year Dr. Dinesh Palipana 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.

Welcome news for melanoma in Federal Budget

Recent news from the Budget. The Federal Government has committed $25m to the prevention and early detection of skin cancer and melanoma. These were clear messages in our Australians of the Year's acceptance speech in Canberra earlier this year. $10.3m was allocated for Melanoma Institute Australia, working with Cancer Australia and the broader sector to develop an evidence-based roadmap for a targeted skin cancer screening program.

Catching up in the NT

What a reunion! The Australia Day Council of the Northern Territory recently caught up with the incredible 2024 NT Local Hero Witiyana Marika and 2024 Senior Australian of the Year Yalmay Yunupingu. Such impactful representation from East Arnhem!

Town Team Playbook

Town Team Movement, co-created by 2023 WA Local Hero Jimmy Murphy, have created the Town Team Playbook. It provides ideas, tips and tricks for making positive change in your place, plus links to some of their most important How To Guides and resources.

Witiyana takes to the stage again

Still touring tirelessly with original members and fresh talent from the next generation, audiences know Yothu Yindi for their legendary stage shows and for injecting new fire into classic songs like Treaty. 2024 NT Local Hero Witiyana Marika, one of the band's founding members, took to the stage recently in both Melbourne and Brisbane. Did you know Yothu Yindi have been nominated for 12 ARIA Awards and won eight?

Peter's off to Paris 2024

2023 WA Young Australian of the Year Peter Bol has qualified for the 2024 Australian Olympic team once again. He says: "I'm grateful for the unwavering support of my team and the community that has been with me every step of the way. While being selected is a major milestone, I am now preparing for the next stage of my training as I venture to the mountains in New Mexico."

Short Back & Sidewalks delivers first regional service

Short Back & Sidewalks has started delivering regional service following support received from the Federal Government and Lotterywest - which both came off the back of founder Craig Hollywood's 2022 WA Local Hero Award win! Their regional expansion will encompass 11 major regional centres in WA.

Jo nabs 2024 ACT Woman of the Year

2024 ACT Australian of the Year Joanne Farrell can add another award to her title. The founder of Build Like A Girl has been awarded 2024 ACT Woman of the Year. The recipients of the 2024 ACT Women’s Awards were announced ahead of International Women's Day.

Raising resilient kids

2019 Australian of the Year Dr Richard Harris SC OAM says he learnt something profound from the young boys he saved in Thailand. 2024 WA Senior Australian of the Year nominee Maggie Dent 2024 spoke with Richard about what he believes is the secret to raising resilient kids in her podcast, 'The Good Enough Dad.'

These are just some of the things Tiahni has been up to...

South Australia's 2024 Young Australian of the Year Tiahni Adamson, Senior Australian of the Year Sister Meredith Evans and Local Hero Rachael Zaltron OAM led a record-breaking International Women's Day Luncheon for South Australian Business Chamber. Tiahni was also a guest speaker at the 2024 Alice Springs Youth Conference. Plus, she recently facilitated a climate panel at the iconic WOMADelaide!

The Year that Made Me

2024 TAS Senior Australian of the Year Reverend Jim Colville AM established Colony 47 in 1973 to provide for people in need who were shunned by the church. Listen on ABC's The Year that Made Me as Jim shares how 1973 set him on his path.

Compassionate Communities Australia launches

2023 WA Australian of the Year Professor Samar Aoun has launched Compassionate Communities Australia. The not-for-profit soon to be charity aims to become a hub of knowledge and skills for community-led solutions that lead to social and systems change. It supports communities to reclaim and own their central role in caring, dying and grieving.