Meet the 2025 Australian of the Year Nominees Championing Compassion, Sustainability, and Culture
The Australian of the Year nominations for 2025 have been announced, showcasing inspiring individuals who are making significant strides in fields ranging from compassion and sustainability to cultural advocacy and scientific innovation. Nine remarkable nominees stand out, each working tirelessly to improve the lives of others, their communities, and the country as a whole. Their stories not only highlight their exceptional work but also reflect a shared commitment to making Australia a better place for all.
Among the nominees is Megan Gilmour from the ACT, who co-founded MissingSchool, an organization that helps the 1.2 million Australian children at risk of missing school due to chronic health issues. Gilmour's personal experience, watching her son struggle with an illness that kept him from school for over a year, motivated her to create a service that allows children to attend school virtually through telepresence robots. Her efforts have already reconnected thousands of children with their peers and their education.
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In New South Wales, Kath Koschel, founder of The Kindness Factory, has created a global movement encouraging kindness. Her initiative is currently taught in over 3,500 Australian schools and has inspired millions of acts of kindness. Koschel’s own life was transformed by the kindness of strangers during her rehabilitation after a life-altering injury, which led her to dedicate herself to spreading the message of compassion to children across the globe.
Cultural ambassador Grant Ngulmiya Nundhirribala from the Northern Territory is also a nominee. He’s an advocate for preserving and sharing Indigenous Australian music, language, and culture. Nundhirribala’s work includes collaborations with international artists, as well as the organization of cultural festivals. His passion for his community and his culture shines through in everything he does, from leading the Red Flag Dancers to promoting Indigenous artists on the global stage.
Geoffrey Smith from Queensland is another standout nominee, recognized for his work in creating job opportunities for neurodiverse individuals. His social enterprise, Australian Spatial Analytics, trains and employs neurodivergent people to work as geospatial data analysts, challenging traditional employment barriers for those with autism and other conditions. Smith’s commitment to focusing on individuals’ strengths rather than weaknesses has transformed lives and created new pathways to employment for many.
Sustainability is at the heart of the work of Sam Elsom from Tasmania, who founded Sea Forest, a company that uses native seaweed to reduce methane emissions in livestock. His research is not only helping reduce environmental impacts but is also making a significant difference in the livestock industry’s productivity and climate sustainability.
Each nominee represents the power of individuals to spark positive change, whether through innovative solutions to environmental challenges, promoting inclusivity and kindness, or preserving cultural heritage. As Australia celebrates the outstanding contributions of these nominees, their work reminds us of the importance of compassion, creativity, and sustainability in building a better future for all Australians.
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