A wildlife campaigner protecting platypuses, a singer raising money for cancer treatment and a volunteer ambulance officer are among 16 Tasmanians nominated for the 2026 Australian of the Year awards.
The nominees come from communities across the state and include mental health advocates, a refugee mentor and a disability rights campaigner.
Kingston-based musician and fundraiser Tyler Richardson is in the running for Tasmanian Australian of the Year, alongside mental health advocate Mitch McPherson, health literacy expert Dr Rosie Nash and emergency doctor Jorian Kippax.
Margaret Chilcott, a volunteer ambulance officer from Poatina, leads the Senior Australian of the Year nominees.
She is joined by nutritious eating visionary Julie Dunbabin, men’s health advocate Brendan Sullivan and community representative Adriana Taylor.
Four young Tasmanians are competing for the state’s Young Australian of the Year title.
They are youth advocate Reede Adams-Beckett, mental health advocate Laura Johnson OAM, life skills educator Alyssia Kennedy and refugee mentor Sahar Naqshband.
In the Local Hero category, the finalists include social entrepreneur Emily Briffa, disability advocate Janelle McMillan OAM, community charity worker Rodney Spinks and wildlife campaigner Pete Walsh.
National Australia Day Council chief executive Mark Fraser said the nominees showcased the many ways Australians were making a difference.
“The nominees for the Tasmania awards are doing extraordinary things,” Fraser said.
“While they are contributing in many different ways, they are all helping.”
“Helping people, helping communities, helping in crises, helping the environment and our wildlife, helping create opportunities and helping to bring about change.”
Tasmania’s nominees are among 134 Australians being recognised nationwide across all states and territories.
The state recipients will be announced on November 18 at the Theatre Royal Hobart.
State and territory winners will then compete for the national awards, to be announced on January 25, 2026 in Canberra.
