STATE AND TERRITORY FINALISTS FOR AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR
NSW - KURT FEARNLEY
Representing Australia over a 20-year wheelchair-racing career, Kurt Fearnley has won 13 medals across five Paralympic games and is a tireless disability rights advocate.
VIC - MARK SULLIVAN
The founder and director of not-for-profit Medicines Development for Global Health, Mark Sullivan's company has received a world first FDA approval for a new medicine to treat river blindness, a debilitating disease endemic among the world's poorest people.
QLD - JON ROUSE
Detective Inspector Rouse has been investigating crimes against children since 1996 and has rescued many from the most horrendous situations throughout Australia and the world.
WA - CRAIG CHALLEN
Diver Craig Challen was about to go on holiday when he was called up to help rescue 12 boys and their soccer coach from flooded caves in Thailand, for which he received the Star of Courage for his bravery.
SA -DR RICHARD HARRIS
Anaesthetist and cave-diver Dr Richard Harris risked his life to swim through a narrow cave system in Thailand to help rescue 12 boys and their soccer coach, and was the last to leave making sure every child was safely evacuated.
TAS - BERNADETTE BLACK
The founder of Brave Foundation, which provides resources and education opportunities in support of young parents, Bernadette Black aims to build support around teenage pregnancy, having personally experienced the stigma associated with it.
ACT - VIRGINIA HAUSSEGGER
The television journalist, writer and commentator has built a career over 25 years and was made a Member of the Order of Australia for her leading advocacy for women's rights.
NT - MICHAEL LONG
The Australian rules football icon uses his voice to fight against racism. He established the Michael Long Learning and Leadership Centre in Darwin to help put indigenous issues on the national agenda.
