Meet the 2021 Australian of the Year finalists

Congratulations to the nine Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander recipients of the state and territory 2021 Australian of the Year Awards.

Each recipient has been selected for their impact and achievement in a range of sectors including health, education, First Nation’s advocacy, social entrepreneurship and sport.

The recipients are now in consideration for the 2021 Australian of the Year Awards which will be presented at a national ceremony on 25 January 2021.

Tanya Hosch - 2021 SA Australian of the Year

Tanya Hosch is the first Indigenous person and second woman appointed to the AFL executive. She has held leadership roles in sport, the arts, culture, social justice and public policy.

Tanya’s leadership is transforming the AFL – advancing women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, gender-diverse Australians and the entire community. Tanya championed the first Indigenous player statue of Nicky Winmar and instigated a review of anti-vilification policy within the code.  She helped secure an apology for Adam Goodes from the AFL and delivered a new industry framework to help prevent racist treatment of players.

Tanya also helped found an advocacy organisation The Indigenous Players Alliance. She drove a new respect and responsibility policy enabling women to seek redress for unacceptable behaviour and a world-first gender diversity policy for a contact sport.

In 2020, she drove a hugely successful social media campaign aimed at informing and protecting Indigenous communities from COVID-19.

Professor Helen Milroy - 2021 WA Australian of the Year

Professor Helen Milroy was Australia's first Indigenous doctor and is now a highly regarded expert in child and adolescent psychiatry.

For more than 25 years, Helen has been a pioneer in research, education and training in Aboriginal and child mental health, and recovery from grief and trauma. She has supported the Aboriginal and medical workforce in applying Indigenous knowledge and cultural models of care.

Helen has played a key role on mental health advisory committees and boards, including the National Mental Health Commission. She was appointed as commissioner for the Australian Government's Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse from 2013-2017.

Helen was also the first Indigenous commissioner to the Australian Football League. A talented artist and published author, Helen’s books have been shortlisted for several major awards. In 2018, she received the Australian Indigenous Doctor of the Year Award, recognising her many achievements. 

Donna Stolzenberg - 2021 VIC Australian of the Year

Donna Stolzenberg’s simple idea of handing out 50 donated sleeping bags to homeless people has evolved into a nationwide charity.

The National Homeless Collective (NHC) is a grassroots Australian organisation helping people affected by homelessness, domestic violence and social disadvantage.

A mother of five boys and a grandmother of two, Donna has lived experience of overcoming homelessness and hardship. Under Donna’s direction, NHC has created six sub-charities targeting different issues – Period Project, School Project, Plate Up Project, Sleeping Bags for Homelessness, and Secret Women's Business. The National Homeless Collective also runs Kala Space, an op shop employing women affected by domestic abuse or homelessness.

Donna’s resourcefulness has provided practical solutions in Australia’s most recent crises. This includes helping women to safely escape homelessness, people affected by bushfires, or those locked down in the Melbourne towers during COVID-19.

Patricia Anderson AO - 2021 ACT Senior Australian of the Year

Patricia Anderson AO is an Alyawarre woman who has built a national and international reputation as a powerful advocate for the health of Australia’s First Peoples.

With an extensive career spanning community development, policy formation, and research ethics, Pat has dedicated her life to creating and nurturing understanding and compassion between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians.

A widely-published writer, Pat has served as Chair on multiple organisations, including the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO), Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory (AMSANT), and the Prime Minister’s Referendum Council. She is the inaugural patron of the Women’s Safety Services of Central Australia and has presented to the United Nations Working Group on Indigenous People.

Pat’s achievements have been recognised with numerous honours, including the Australian Human Rights Commission’s Human Rights Medal, a Westpac 100 Women of Influence Award, and a NAIDOC Lifetime Achievement Award. She has received an honorary doctorate and an Order of Australia for her leadership in promoting improved health and educational outcomes.

McRose Elu - 2021 QLD Senior Australian of the Year

Torres Strait Island Elder Aunty McRose Elu is a tireless advocate for her community. She has an unwavering vision to bring about change to better the lives of children and families. McRose is committed to reconciliation and sharing the traditional practices of her people at local, state and federal levels.

She was instrumental in negotiations to legally recognise the traditional customary adoption practices of Torres Strait Islander families, which led to the introduction of a landmark Bill to the Queensland Parliament.

Since 1980, McRose has been drawing global attention to the impact of climate change on the Torres Strait, including speaking at the UN and to business and political leaders.

McRose also provides essential translation for Torres Strait Islander communities to help them access services and lobbies for funding to support community capacity building.

Isabel Reid - 2021 NSW Senior Australian of the Year

Born in 1932, Isabel Reid is the oldest living survivor of the Stolen Generation. Isabel, her sister Betty and brother Jack were taken on the way home from school, and their parents had no idea what had happened to them. Isabel and Betty were sent to the Cootamundra Domestic Training Home and trained as domestic servants.

As an Elder of the Wiradjuri people, Isabel has worked tirelessly to raise awareness of the Stolen Generation to help prevent it from happening again.

In 2013, she was made an inaugural director of the Coota Girls Aboriginal Corporation, and in 2016, she was appointed as an inaugural member and Chairperson of the Stolen Generations Advisory Committee. Her strong leadership was instrumental to the NSW Government offering a $74 million reparation package to those forcibly removed under the Aborigines Protection Act 1909-1969.

Dr Miriam-Rose Ungunmerr Baumann - 2021 NT Senior Australian of the Year

Dr Miriam-Rose Ungunmerr Baumann AM is an Aboriginal elder from Nauiyu and a renowned artist, activist, writer and public speaker.

In 1975, Miriam-Rose became the Northern Territory’s first fully qualified Aboriginal teacher. As an art consultant for the Department of Education, she visited schools through the Top End, advocating for the inclusion of visual art as part of every child’s education.

Miriam-Rose later became the principal of the Catholic school in her home community before being appointed to the Federal Government’s advisory body, the National Indigenous Council.

In 2013, she established the Miriam Rose Foundation, to bridge the divide between Aboriginal culture and mainstream society – driving reconciliation at a grassroots level.

Through her professional and creative life, Miriam-Rose has remained dedicated to maintaining the cultural independence of her people and being a spokesperson for the Aboriginal worldview.

In recognition of her leadership, she was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia medal and an Honorary PhD in Education from Charles Darwin University.

Dr Richard Walley - 2021 WA Senior Australian of the Year

Dr Richard Walley guides people and organisations on their journey of reconciliation through cultural awareness.

A champion of Wadjuk and Noongar people, he shares his profound knowledge of language, cultural practices and historic injustices – cultivating a deeper respect and recognition of Aboriginal culture. Richard reinvigorated the practice of the modern-day Welcome To Country in Noongar Country, a ceremony that is now commonplace across Australia.

He sits on multiple committees and is a consultant to both government and corporate agencies where he is engaged to provide cultural advice for major projects. Richard’s expertise is also sought out by the private sector to provide Welcome to Country, undertake cultural awareness training and advise on Indigenous affairs.

A musician, performer and artist, Richard’s designs adorn jerseys in the Indigenous rounds of sporting events. He is creatively involved with many local festivals and events.

Richard has received numerous honours including an Order of Australia, Honorary Doctorate, and WA Citizen Of The Year. 

Stuart McGrath - 2021 NT Young Australian of the Year

Stuart McGrath is an Aboriginal health practitioner. On graduation, he will become the first Yolngu registered nurse.

At age 29, Stuart has already had experiences which give him special insight into the needs of different community groups – from his nomadic upbringing in remote Indigenous communities, to schooling in Canberra and studying in Darwin.

Stuart has overcome significant challenges to follow his dreams – including completing his first year of a Bachelor of Nursing degree remotely while working full-time and being a father to two young girls.

He helped produce the ‘Ask the Specialist’ podcast, with the Menzies School of Health Research, to improve communication between health professionals and patients.

Stuart is committed to closing the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. His passion for helping his community will inspire other First Nations young people to participate in the health workforce, leading to happier and healthier lives.