By Mike CrooksFriday 8 Nov 2024NewsReading Time: 4 minutes
Australia, meet your heroes.
Key Points
- Every person in the running for the awards was nominated by a member of the public.
- The award recipients for NSW will be announced on the evening of Wednesday 13 November 2024, and will be streamed live here.
- The victors will join the other state and territory winners for the national awards announcement on 25 January 2025 in Canberra.
The national nominees for the 2025 Australian of the Year Awards have been named, and they include leaders, educators, volunteers, advocates and medical researchers.
The awards also include gongs for senior and young Australians of the year, and local heroes.
Every person in the running for the awards was nominated by a member of the public.
“Someone who was inspired by their achievements or contributions and believed their story should be shared with all Australians,” National Australia Day Council CEO, Mark Fraser explained.
Every person in the running for the awards was nominated by a member of the public.
“An inspiration to all”
Among the nominees in NSW are Inspector Amy Scott who helped bring the Westfield Bondi Junction massacre to an end.
On 13 April, 40-year-old Joel Cauchi, who had a mental disorder, killed six people in a knife attack, and injured a further twelve in the Westfield Bondi Junction shopping centre. Among the injured was a nine-month-old baby girl.
It was Inspector Scott who shot dead Mr Cauchi after he failed to surrender his knife.
“Without hesitation or regard for her own safety, Inspector Scott responded with exceptional courage, not waiting for backup and choosing to face the threat head-on and alone, a decision that would define her heroism,” a statement read.
“Her actions saved countless lives and showcased her unwavering leadership in the face of extreme danger. Inspector Scott’s fearless and decisive actions are an inspiration to all Australians.”
Inspector Scott has been with NSW Police for 19 years and was previously recognised for her courage and leadership.
Stopping gendered violence
NSW journalist, author and gender-based violence expert Jess Hill has also been nominated for the top prize.
She’s spoken at nearly 400 events on coercive control, and provides information for magistrates, communities and frontline workers.
Her award-winning book on domestic abuse, See What You Made Me Do, has been adapted into a SBS docuseries.
Ms Hill has also been living with brain cancer for the last decade.
“I think we need more feminist leadership on how to mobilise and encourage men who want to help,” Jess said in 2021.
“Because the fact is, we can’t stop gendered violence without them.”
More nominees
The other NSW nominees for Australian of the Year are former professional cricketer and Ironman competitor Kath Koschel, who founded the Kindness Factory. The not-for-profit creates educational programs “to help foster a kinder community”.
And Daniel Principe, who has partnered with schools and communities to empower boys across Australia through “promoting consent education and combating harmful behaviours among young people”.
The award recipients for NSW will be announced on the evening of Wednesday 13 November 2024.
Young and older
Meanwhile, Australia’s favourite science guru, Dr Karl Kruszelnicki, has been nominated for Senior Australian of the Year.
Dr Karl, who labels himself “an answer looking for a question”, was studying to be a doctor when he quit to become a science communicator
Across his decades-long career, he’s hosted TV shows, including the ABC’s Sleek Geeks, and authored 48 popular science books.
And among the Young Australian Award nominees are sarcoma cancer survivor Molly Croft and pro netballer Amy Parmenter, who together run the Tie Dye Project.
“The Tie Dye Project makes and sells tie-dye t-shirts to raise funds for sarcoma cancer research,” read a statement.
So far, the project has raised over $1 million.
Our heroes
Nominees for the Local Hero Award include Renuka Fernando and Ben Stammer who founded the charity ReLove, which furnishes homes with “rescued furniture”.
ReLove has become a leading support service for people in crisis and Renuka and Ben have helped many at-risk Australians through their compassion.
Another nominee is Martha Jabour who co-founded the Homicide Victims Support Group in 1993.
The victors will join the other state and territory winners for the national awards announcement on 25 January 2025 in Canberra.
The group cares for loved ones of homicide victims throughout NSW, providing “life-changing counselling, support and referrals to more than 4,200 members”.
And in 2023, Ms Jabour started Sydney’s Grace’s Place, a world first trauma recovery centre in Blacktown.
“Exceptional”
The award recipients for NSW will be announced on the evening of Wednesday 13 November 2024, and will be streamed live here.
The victors will join the other state and territory winners for the national awards announcement on 25 January 2025 in Canberra.
“The NSW nominees for 2025 are ordinary people who are doing exceptional things,” said Mr Fraser.
“They remind us of what is possible when we choose to overcome challenges, be a force for good, take on leadership and educational roles or step up when the occasion calls.”
For more information visit here.
Feature image: Photo by CanvaPro