Disability advocate Christina Ryan has been nominated as an ACT candidate for Australian of the Year. Photo: Supplied.
Sixteen Canberrans, ranging from a disability advocate to a rock climbing instructor to a rugby union legend, have been nominated for the ACT section of the 2025 Australian of the Year Awards.
Chief Executive Officer of the National Australia Day Council, Mark Fraser, congratulated the ACT nominees, saying they had achieved extraordinary things and contributed to the community in many different ways.
“They are using their own experiences to help others, taking leadership roles to lift others up and demonstrating we all have greatness within us,” he said.
2025 Australian of the Year for the ACT: Jenny Edwards – scientist and founder, Light House ArchiScience (Canberra); Megan Gilmour – co-founder, MissingSchool (Hawker); Christina Ryan – founder, Disability Leadership Institute; Philippa Seldon – founder, The Healthy Tradie Project (Nanima).
Brumbies rugby legend Laurie Fisher in full flight on the field. Fisher has been nominated in the Senior Australian of the Year category. Photo: Brumbies.
2025 Senior Australian of the Year for the ACT: Armando Corvini – rock climbing instructor and volunteer (Deakin); Laurie Fisher – Super Rugby coach (Canberra); Peter Ralston and Marilyn Ralston – running supporters of the vision impaired (Kaleen); Stuart Warner – musician and community radio presenter (Queanbeyan).
2025 Young Australian of the Year for the ACT: Jarrett Anthoney – co-founder, Dainere’s Rainbow (Gungahlin); Daniel Bartholomaeus – artist and neurodiversity advocate (Canberra); Brendan Swan – founder, Concussion Australia; Hayley Whatman – Voice for youth (Canberra).
2025 Local Hero for the ACT: Vanessa Brettell and Hannah Costello – co-owners, Cafe Stepping Stone (Canberra); Dr Madhumita Iyengar – founder, Initiatives For Women In Need (Amaroo); Pamela Muston – ultramarathon runner (Wamboin); Delfina Shakespeare – gender-equality advocate in women’s sport (Florey).
The award recipients for the ACT will be announced on Thursday, 14 November, at the National Gallery of Australia. To watch online, visit Australian of the Year.
ACT recipients will then join the other state and territory recipients as national finalists for the national awards announcement on 25 January 2025.
Loading ...
