Many individuals and organisations have made an enormous contribution to help shape our wonderful nation. The Australian of the Year Awards recognise outstanding achievements, which advance the values we share as Australians - like a fair go, democracy, diversity, participation and endeavour.
The Australian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year and Local Hero are the top awards co-ordinated by the National Australia Day Council in partnership with the Australia Day Committee (Victoria).
The Australian of the Year Awards have been an integral part of our national celebrations since 1960. If you want to find out more, visit the Australian of the Year website.
Year Name Victorian Finalist in the following category
2012
Geoffrey Rush Australian of the Year
Dr Nouria Salehi OAM Senior Australian of the Year
Marita Cheng Young Australian of the Year
Ahmed Dini Local Hero
2011
Simon McKeon* Australian of the Year
Leslie Erdi OAM Senior Australian of the Year
Angela Barker Young Australian of the Year
Waleed Aly Local Hero
2010
Professor Patrick McGorry* Australian of the Year
Nigel Dick AMSenior Australian of the Year
Larissa Brown Young Australian of the Year
Kevin and Rhonda Butler Local Hero
2009
Dr Berhan Ahmed Australian of the Year
Pat La Manna OAM* Senior Australian of the Year
Leigh Mathews Young Australian of the Year
Beverley Wall Local Hero
2008
Stuart Appleby Australian of the Year
Carrillo Gantner AO Senior Australian of the Year
Daniel Adams Young Australian of the Year
Jonathon Welch* Local Hero
2007
Philip Wollen OAM Austalian of the Year
Dame Elisabeth Murdoch AC DBE Senior Australian of the Year
Duncan McLean Young Australian of the Year
Shanaka Fernando* Local Hero (Metropolitan)
Dr Bernard Jenner Local Hero (Regional)
2006
Reverend Tim Costello AO Australian of the Year
Professor Margot Prior AO Senior Australian of the Year
Trisha Broadbridge* Young Australian of the Year
Michael Long Local Hero (Metropolitan)
Karen McIntyre Local Hero (Regional)
2005
Rodney Cocks Australian of the Year
Alex Auldist Senior Australian of the Year
Matthew Albert Young Australian of the Year
Fr Bob McGuire AM RFD Local Hero (Metropolitan)
Irene Christoffersen Local Hero (Regional)
2004
Bernadette McMenamin AO Australian of the Year
Teree Gordon* Senior Australian of the Year
Hugh Evans* Young Australian of the Year
Jason McCartney OAM Local Hero (Metropolitan)
Joan Quinlan Local Hero (Regional)
2003
Moira Kelly AO Australian of the Year
Edith Dizon-Fitzsimmons Senior Australian of the Year
James Lee Young Australian of the Year
Leo Holt Local Hero (Metropolitan)
Chris Rigg APM Local Hero (Regional)
2002
Professor Graham Clark AO* Senior Australian of the Year
Sheree Marris Young Australian of the Year
* Indicates that the Victorian Finalist was awarded the National Australian of the Year award in that category.
