The nominees for the 2023 ACT Australian of the Year Awards include a man launching space rockets from Australia, a hip-hop musician, an insect farmer, and a woman whose sewing is changing lives.

They are just some of the 16 people in the running to be named the ACT Australian of the Year, ACT Senior Australian of the Year, ACT Young Australian of the Year, and ACT Local Hero.

These local nominees are among 130 people being recognised across all states and territories.

The four ACT recipients will be announced on Wednesday 9 November at the National Gallery of Australia. The ceremony will also be available to watch via ABC iView from 12.15pm.

They will then be joined by the other state and territory recipients as national finalists here in the Capital, for the national awards on Wednesday 25 January 2023.

The 2023 Awards also mark 20 years of the Local Hero category.

Introduced in 2003, the award acknowledges extraordinary contributions made by Australians in their local community. A Canberran is yet to be awarded Australia’s Local Hero.

The 2023 ACT award nominees are:

ACT Australian of the Year:

• Mikaela Jade – Founder, Indigital (Phillip)
• Scott Wallis – Founder, Equatorial Launch Australia, Arnhem Space Centre (Garran)
• Olympia Yarger – Insect farming pioneer and founder, Goterra (Canberra)
• Heidi Yates – Human rights lawyer and community advocate (Canberra)

ACT Senior Australian of the Year:

• Mohammed Ali – Founder and president, HelpingACT (Franklin)
• Professor Tom Calma AO – Human rights and social justice advocate, consultant, and volunteer (Chapman)
• Robert Cook – ACT Children’s Court Magistrate and Warrumbul Court Magistrate (Canberra)
• Brian Triglone OAM – Founder and conductor, Alchemy Chorus (Torrens)

ACT Young Australian of the Year:

• Bryce Cronin – Engineer, designer, and founder, Access3D (Belconnen)
• Kofi Owusu-Ansah – Award-winning performer and songwriter (Canberra)
• Camille Schloeffel – Founder, The Stop Campaign (Ainslie)
• Hillary Swann – Teacher and founder, EMPOWER (Rivett)

ACT Local Hero:

• Nazmul Hasan – Multicultural community champion (Holder)
• Gaurav Malhotra – Founder, Garry Malhotra – Ken Behrens Helping Hands (Denman Prospect)
• Carol Mead – Founder, Sew For Change (Gordon)
• Dr Shamaruh Mirza – Scientist and co-founder, SiTara’s Story (Waramanga)

National Australia Day Council CEO, Karlie Brand congratulated the nominees on their recognition.

“The 2023 ACT nominees remind us what an extraordinarily active community the territory is home to,” said Karlie.

“Whether it’s world-leading breakthroughs, local community development or leadership on matters of social significance, the ACT nominees are making a mark.”

To learn more visit australianoftheyear.org.au