25 January 2020

Peter Gutwein, Premier

Australian of the Year Awards

Congratulations to the amazing Australian of the Year Awards recipients, announced in Canberra tonight.

These prestigious awards celebrate the remarkable achievements and contributions of a very special group of Australians who help make Australia a great place to live.

The national honours were awarded to Dr James Muecke AM (SA) – Australian of the Year, Professor John Newnham AM (WA) – Senior Australian of the Year, Ash Barty (QLD) – Young Australian of the Year, and Bernie Shakeshaft (NSW) – Australia’s Local Hero.

We also recognise our inspirational 2020 Tasmanian category winners, who we are incredibly proud of. They include:

• Tasmanian Australian of the Year, international research scientist Dr Jess Melbourne-Thomas. Jess studies marine socioecological systems to understand how they might respond to climate change, and to inform decision making for sustainable development.
• Tasmanian Senior Australian of the Year, Landcare activist, Dr Graeme Stevenson. Graeme has promoted healthy soils in Tasmania for over 30 years, in particular, the role of dung beetles and earthworms in soil management.
• Tasmanian Young Australian of the Year, social justice activist, Will Smith. Will’s desire to help disadvantaged young people has taken him from local football clubs to the Lebanese and Syrian border. He is the founder of JCP Empowering Youth, which enables successful leaders to help improve the lives of young people through school, leadership and community programs.
• Tasmania’s Local Hero, advocate for men’s health, Tom Windsor. Tom has spent many years advocating for awareness of major health issues affecting men and founded the Mobart Mo Bros. Tom turned a family tragedy into a fundraising phenomenon. The Mobart Mo Bros have been Australia’s top Movember fundraising team for the past three years and have raised more than $500,000.

Congratulations to all our Tasmanian finalists whose remarkable contributions make our state an even greater place to live.

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