Elizabeth Broderick has been revealed as one of four finalists in this year's NSW Australian of the Year, just a month after she finished her role as the Australian Sex Discrimination Commissioner.
The social change campaigner joins humanitarian Patricia Garcia, heart surgeon Dr Ian Nicholson and artist Ben Quilty on a list of nominees for NSW's 2016 Australian of the Year awards.
Sixteen finalists were named on Friday for the awards, made up of four categories, with winners to be announced on November 16.
Ms Broderick has been nominated for her review of the treatment of women in the Australian Defence Force, which led to a large-scale change in culture.
She was also a key advocate for Australia's national paid parental leave scheme.
Other nominees have also been involved in public campaigns, including Ms Garcia, who provided evidence at the landmark case at the International Criminal Tribunal which found wartime rape a crime against humanity.
The humanitarian worker heard personal testimonies of female survivors in Bosnia. She has also drawn attention to female genital mutilation in Sudan.
Dr Nicholson worked in developing countries, taking medical trips to treat children and adults suffering from a range of heart conditions throughout the Pacific and Africa.
Mr Quilty, the fourth nominee for the main award, was the official war artist in Afghanistan and a mentor to Bali Nine drug smuggler Myuran Sukumaran.
He led a campaign which called for Sukumaran and Andrew Chan to be spared.
The NSW award winners will go into the running for the Australian of the Year awards in Canberra in January.
2016 NSW FINALISTS FOR AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR
NSW Australian of the year
* Elizabeth Broderick - Social change innovator and sex discrimination commissioner
* Patricia Garcia - Humanitarian in war zones, including Afghanistan and Bosnia
* Dr Ian Nicholson - Heart Surgeon who travels to developing countries
* Ben Quilty - Official Afghan war artist and mentor to Bali Nine smuggler Myuran Sukumaran
NSW SENIOR AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR
* Dr Jim Frazier - Cinematographer and inventor
* Professor Gordian Fulde - Doctor at St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney
* Dr Yvonne McMaster - Palliative care crusader
* Terry O'Connell - Restorative justice pioneer
NSW YOUNG AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR
* Melissa Abu-Gazaleh - Youth advocate
* Nathan Basha - Disability advocate
* Liam Knight - Anti-violence advocate
* Laura O'Reilly and Jordan O'Reilly - Social entrepreneurs
NSW LOCAL HERO
* Lana and Roger Borg - Community helpers
* Dr Anne Bunde-Birouste - Refugee champion
* Lucy Haslam - Health activist who campaigned for medicinal cannabis
* Dr Catherine Keenan - Youth educator
