MEDIA RELEASE
WEDNESDAY 1 NOVEMBER 2023
2024 AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR AWARD NOMINEES FOR TASMANIA ANNOUNCED
A First Nations leader, an advocate for migrant women, an actor and musician using social media to share Indigenous culture, a woman creating connections for mothers, an autism and disability advocate and a forensic pathology expert whose research was critical in identifying sudden infant death syndrome causes are among nominees for the 2024 Australian of the Year Awards for Tasmania.
The 2024 award nominees are:
2024 Australian of the Year for Tasmania
Professor Roger Byard AO PSM - Forensic pathology expert
Dr Alice Edwards - Global advocate for human rights
Kathryn Fordyce - Autism and disability advocate (North Motton)
Stephanie Trethewey - Rural women’s advocate and founder, Motherland (Dunorlan)
2024 Senior Australian of the Year for Tasmania
Reverend James Colville AM - Founder, Colony 47 (Bagdad)
Rodney Dillon - First Nations advocate and co-founder, weetapoona Aboriginal Corporation (Hobart)
Rosalind Escott AM - Breastfeeding educator, family historian (South Hobart)
Sajini Sumar - Migrant advocate and co-founder, Multicultural Women’s Council of Tasmania (Kingston)
2024 Young Australian of the Year for Tasmania
Naarah - Actor, musician, Indigenous activist (Glenorchy)
Dr Brooke Mason - Surfer, medical registrar and mental health advocate (Hobart)
Joanna Smart - Marine scientist and underwater photographer (Howrah)
Ella Watkins - Writer, filmmaker, actress and mental health advocate (Hobart)
2024 Local Hero for Tasmania
Robyn Flittner - Refugee advocate and co-founder, Women’s Friendship Group (Launceston) (Meander)
Clair Harris - Founder, Tassie Mums (Blackmans Bay)
Natalie Potter and Emily Versluys - Co-founders, Albert St Gang surfers (Turners Beach)
Michelle Williamson - Founder, Farm It Forward Tasmania (Wynyard)
The Tasmania nominees are among 133 people being recognised across all states and territories.
The Tasmania award recipients will be announced on Friday 10 November 2023 in a ceremony at Princess Wharf No1 in Hobart, which will also be available to watch online at australianoftheyear.org.au.
They will then join the other state and territory recipients as national finalists for the national awards announcement on Thursday 25 January 2024 in Canberra.
National Australia Day Council CEO Mark Fraser AO CVO congratulated the Tasmania nominees on their recognition.
“The nominees for the Tasmania awards are extraordinary people whose achievements and contributions are to be applauded,” said Mark.
“From research with global impact, through lifelong commitment to bringing about change, to new ways of connecting people in need, they are an inspirational group of Tasmanians.”
ENDS.
Nominee bios can be viewed from the australianoftheyear.org.au homepage
Nominee photos can be downloaded from this link: Tasmania Nominee Photos
MEDIA CONTACT: Nicole Browne 0414 673 762 or nicole@mediaopps.com.au