State of Origin hero Johnathan Thurston is in the running to be next year's Australian of the Year after he took out the 2018 Queenslander of the Year title for his work as an indigenous mentor.
The rugby league legend and North Queensland Cowboys captain received the award at an annual function in Brisbane on Wednesday night.
Thurston says the award was unexpected and has left him feeling humbled and inspired to continue his work in areas including indigenous health and education.
"I'm very passionate about my culture and trying to inspire the next generation of my culture and young Australians," he's told the ABC.
"I want people out there to acknowledge our past, but also be a party of our future as well."
Thurston is an ambassador for the Apunipima Cape York Health Council's anti-ice campaign and the Queensland Reconciliation Awards.
Earlier this year he also helped launch the $9.5m Cowboys House, a home for 50 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from remote parts of north Queensland.
Hearing health specialist and bionics advocate Dr Dimith Dornan was named Queensland's Senior Australian of the year, while veterans' champion Phillip Thompson won the Queensland Young Australian of the Year award.
Children's entertainer Philippa Russell was announced as Queensland's Local Hero.
The recipients will join winners from other states and territories at an awards ceremony in Canberra on January 25, where the 2018 national winners will be announced.
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