The Local Hero Award is a part of the Australian of the Year awards. It commenced in 2003 and is sponsored by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC).

The Local Hero Award acknowledges extraordinary contributions made by Australians in their local community. A Local Hero from each state and territory is chosen each year, with one of the eight state and territory Local Heroes announced as Australia's Local Hero on Australia Day eve each year.

List of award recipients

YearNameAchievement
2003Brian Perry AFSMBushfire fighter
2004Donna CarsonSurvivor of domestic violence
2005Ben KearneyEnvironmental campaigner
2006Toni HoffmanPatient advocate
2007Shanaka FernandoSocial challenger
2008Jonathon Welch AMChoral conductor
2009Graeme DrewSea rescuer and educator
2010Ronni KahnFood rescuer
2011Donald Ritchie OAMSuicide prevention advocate
2012Lynne SawyersFoster mother
2013Shane PhillipsIndigenous leader
2014Tim ConolanChildren's charity founder
2015Juliette WrightSocial entrepreneur
2016Dr Catherine KeenanYouth educator
2017Vicki JellieCampaigned to establish a cancer centre in Warrnambool
2018Eddie WooSydney maths teacher
2019Kate and Tick EverettCampaigned against bullying following daughter's death
2020Bernie ShakeshaftCampaigner for disadvantaged rural youth
2021Rosemary KariukiActivist supporting migrant women
2022Shanna WhanAlcohol consumption activist in rural Australia
2023Amar SinghFounder of Turbans 4 Australia
2024David ElliottCo-founder of Australian Age of Dinosaurs and a key figure in boosting the palaeo-tourism industry in Australia.
2025Vanessa BrettellCo-founders of a social enterprise for migrant women
Hannah Costello

See also

External links