Each year, on 25 January, extraordinary Aussies from each state and territory gather in Canberra to find out who will be named that year’s Australian of the Year.

Before then, each jurisdiction names four finalists for each of the four categories.

This year, A disability employment ambassador, a woman saving our bees, volunteers, a singer-songwriter, multicultural advocates, a youth affairs leader, and a veterinarian providing care for pets and owners in crisis are among nominees for the 2024 Australian of the Year Awards for the ACT:

2024 Australian of the Year for the Australian Capital Territory

Dr Raymond Akhurst – Volunteer, St Vincent de Paul Society (Waramanga)

Dan Bourchier – Journalist, broadcaster, public speaker (Lyneham)

Joanne Farrell – Founder, Build Like A Girl (Bungendore)

Kurt Gruber – Co-founder, Worldview Foundation & WV Technologies (Canberra)

2024 Senior Australian of the Year for the Australian Capital Territory

Ebenezer Banful OAM – Volunteer, multicultural advocate (Curtin)

William Bush & Marion McConnell OAM – President & Vice President, Families & Friends for Drug Law Reform (Turner & Giralang)

John Feint – Volunteer and Founder, VINES Youth program (Gilmore)

Dr Amanda Scott – Advocate for community language learning, bilingualism, multiculturalism (Chifley)

2024 Young Australian of the Year for the Australian Capital Territory

Charlotte Bailey – Employment ambassador, Down Syndrome Australia (Belconnen)

Sophie Edwards – Singer-songwriter, gender equality advocate (Curtin)

Caitlin Figueiredo – Co-Chair, Australian Youth Affairs Coalition (Canberra)

Saad Khalid – Advocate for multiculturalism, young people, mental health (Canberra)

2024 Local Hero for the Australian Capital Territory

Julie Armstrong – Founder, ACT for Bees (Canberra)

Dr Eloise Bright – Founder, ACT Pet Crisis Support and the Tiny Veterinary Clinic (Evatt)

Sandipan Mitra – Volunteer, advocate for diversity, multiculturalism (Chisholm)

Selina Walker – Co-Chair, ACT Reconciliation Council (Ngunnawal Country/Canberra)

The ACT award finalists will be announced on Monday 30 October 2023 in a ceremony at the National Gallery of Australia.

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