Do you remember where you were when you learned that Neale Daniher AO had been named 2025 Australian of the Year?
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How did the news make you feel? Were you excited for him? Happy with the decision? Proud to be Australian? And did it make you think of anyone else who might also be deserving of such an honour?
I've been looking at some of the online comments from around the time of the announcement and there's a strong theme that emerges: "so deserving"; "a very worthy recipient"; "unbelievably great selection"; "inspirational". Across the country, the news that Neale had received Australia's most prestigious civilian honour was greeted with great jubilation and pride.
And somewhere, in a lounge room, kitchen or backyard, one Aussie in particular would have been punching the air with extra exuberance: the person who nominated Neale.
READ MORE: Seeking Aussies who make us proud
Because, in order for anyone to be considered for this prestigious award, they must first be nominated by a member of the public.
That's where you come in. Who do you think should be the next Australian of the Year? I'll give you a moment to think about it.
There are four categories in the Australian of the Year Awards: Young Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year, Australia's Local Hero and, of course, the Australian of the Year.
Since 1960, the awards have shone well-deserved spotlights on the achievements, passion, excellence and community service of hundreds of great Australians: community leaders, charity workers, musicians, sportspeople, scientists, advocates, doctors and more. It's an extraordinary list of amazing people. Over the years, recipients have represented the rich diversity of our Australian community and have embodied the broad spectrum of Australian life.
The awards have become an important part of the fabric of our society. By celebrating the very best of Australian values - kindness, compassion, excellence, ambition, generosity - the Australians of the Year help define the Australian character. These remarkable people have helped our community contemplate what it means to be Australian.
Take this year's recipients, for example: 2025 Young Australian of the Year, Dr Katrina Wruck, is a brilliant, ground-breaking scientist and a proud Mabuigilaig and Goemulgal woman whose revolutionary research is helping remote communities and inspiring others to study STEM; Senior Australian of the Year, the inspirational Brother Thomas "Olly" Pickett AM, co-founded Wheelchairs for Kids, which has provided more than 60,000 custom-built wheelchairs to children in more than 80 countries; Australia's Local Heroes, Vanessa Brettell and Hannah Costello, have provided life-changing employment opportunities to women from disadvantaged backgrounds at their fabulous café, Stepping Stone; and Australian of the Year, Neale Daniher has inspired us all with his incredible work as co-founder of FightMND, a charity that has raised and invested over $115 million for medical research to find a cure for motor neurone disease. He is a true Aussie champion.
In order to be considered for their awards, each of the amazing Australians was, firstly, nominated by a member of the public. Their nominations were among thousands submitted from across Australia.
Then, state and territory-based selection panels came together to discuss, deliberate then anonymously vote to choose the local recipients in each category. The state and territory recipients were announced in November 2024 - and were all then in the running for the national awards.
Then, one quiet December morning, the National Australia Council came together to commence what would be two days of highly confidential discussion, debate, consideration and, ultimately, an anonymous vote to decide who, from among the state and territory awardees, will be our national recipients in each category.
In January, all state and territory nominees were invited to Canberra where, on the eve of Australia Day, the Prime Minister announced the names of the national recipients. Each year, it's a wonderful, life-changing moment for the awardees, and an exciting opportunity for Australians to acknowledge these outstanding citizens.
Remember, in order to reach this point, each potential recipient must first have been nominated by a member of the public. So, have you thought about who you'll nominate?
It's worth bearing in mind that some nominees are known to their nominator, but others are not. You might consider submitting the name of a member of the family, a friend or colleague who is an outstanding Australian making a significant difference in your community. Alternatively, you may wish to tell us about someone you've never met, but whose achievements you admire; perhaps someone you've seen on television, read about or discovered online.
Some nominees - like Neale, for example - are already household names; others have been quietly working away in their field of endeavour but may not be widely known. It doesn't matter. We are looking for Australians who make a significant contribution the community, excel in their field and have the potential to inspire Australians.
To the people who nominated Katrina, Olly, Hannah, Vanessa and Neale - thank you. By simply taking the time to nominate these great Australians, you have made a considerable contribution to your country and helped inspire your fellow citizens.
And if you've never nominated anyone - now's the time. Who inspires you? Who is outstanding, brilliant, unique, excellent? Who will be the next Australian of the Year? If you see them, or hear about them, nominate them.
It starts with you.
- John Foreman is chairman of the National Australia Day Council, which coordinates the Australian of the Year Awards. ACM, the publisher of this masthead, is media partner of the awards.
- Nominate now at australianoftheyear.org.au
