'We both cried': Dr Katrina Wruck reveals the emotional impact of her award
Being awarded such a prestigious title finally gave her "validation" after years of self-doubt.
"It showed me that I can do really hard things. And that I can also talk to other young people about my journey, which hasn't been easy, but it's been worthwhile," she said.
"But I don't think things that are easy are really worthwhile."
Dr Wruck, 30, is neurodivergent and a proud Mabuigilaig and Goemulgal woman.
Based on the Gold Coast, she started the profit-for-purpose business Nguki Kula Green Labs, developing the world's first reusable laundry system, which transforms low-value rocks into eco-friendly detergent.
Since Dr Wruck received the Young Australian of the Year award, industry had reached out to her to develop the detergent commercially, something that was still in the works.
But, perhaps, the biggest impact had been on other people who could see themselves in her.
"I had a mum message me on my Facebook and she said, 'I watched your [Young Australian of the Year] speech with my daughter. She's neurodivergent and we both cried because she realised she could be a scientist'," Dr Wruck said. "Those kinds of messages are just everything."
Nominations for the 2026 awards are open until July 31.
Dr Wruck urged people to put forward someone they knew for the awards.
"Definitely nominate them," she said, adding that the other nominees for 2025 Young Australian of the Year had become firm friends.
"A really, beautiful supportive bunch," she said.
CLICK HERE TO NOMINATE NOW!
Dr Wruck said she was now busier than ever, juggling her academic work with Australian of the Year commitments.
Trying to be a public person while being neurodiverse had been a challenge - but also a revelation.
She said "masking" had in the past been a fallback position - hiding her true self to cope. But that was changing since she had been thrust into the national spotlight.
"I've kind of started taking that mask off a lot more, which has actually been really helpful because it's actually really draining to wear a mask - as in trying to assimilate to everyone's expectations of you," she said.
READ THEIR STORIES
Being named Young Australian of the Year also helped to banish her "impostor syndrome":
"It's incredibly validating to get this kind of recognition and to be able to talk to more people and spread my message to a whole range of audiences, but importantly to Indigenous students, young women and young neurodivergent people."
In the months since she was handed her award by the Prime Minister in Canberra, Dr Wruck had received some heartfelt feedback.
"I got an email from a student who asked if she could do her speech - which was about an Australian hero - on me," she said.
"This young girl actually sent me the speech and it was so beautiful."
Now, as the Young Australian of the Year with the respect of a nation behind her, Dr Wruck has also had to change her mindset.
"I used to enjoy being the underdog - but no more," she said.
Help find the 2025 Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year and Australia's Local Hero by nominating someone you admire.
The only way someone can be considered for the annual awards, which were first presented in 1960, is if a member of the public nominates them.
Nominate online at australianoftheyear.org.au. Nominations close at midnight on July 31.
The 2025 Young Australian of the Year Dr Katrina Wruck has revealed the life-changing impact of the award since she received the honour just over five months ago in Canberra.
Being awarded such a prestigious title finally gave her "validation" after years of self-doubt.
"It showed me that I can do really hard things. And that I can also talk to other young people about my journey, which hasn't been easy, but it's been worthwhile," she said.
"But I don't think things that are easy are really worthwhile."
Dr Wruck, 30, is neurodivergent and a proud Mabuigilaig and Goemulgal woman.
Based on the Gold Coast, she started the profit-for-purpose business Nguki Kula Green Labs, developing the world's first reusable laundry system, which transforms low-value rocks into eco-friendly detergent.
Since Dr Wruck received the Young Australian of the Year award, industry had reached out to her to develop the detergent commercially, something that was still in the works.
But, perhaps, the biggest impact had been on other people who could see themselves in her.
"I had a mum message me on my Facebook and she said, 'I watched your [Young Australian of the Year] speech with my daughter. She's neurodivergent and we both cried because she realised she could be a scientist'," Dr Wruck said. "Those kinds of messages are just everything."
Nominations for the 2026 awards are open until July 31.
Dr Wruck urged people to put forward someone they knew for the awards.
"Definitely nominate them," she said, adding that the other nominees for 2025 Young Australian of the Year had become firm friends.
"A really, beautiful supportive bunch," she said.
CLICK HERE TO NOMINATE NOW!
Dr Wruck said she was now busier than ever, juggling her academic work with Australian of the Year commitments.
Trying to be a public person while being neurodiverse had been a challenge - but also a revelation.
She said "masking" had in the past been a fallback position - hiding her true self to cope. But that was changing since she had been thrust into the national spotlight.
"I've kind of started taking that mask off a lot more, which has actually been really helpful because it's actually really draining to wear a mask - as in trying to assimilate to everyone's expectations of you," she said.
READ THEIR STORIES
Being named Young Australian of the Year also helped to banish her "impostor syndrome":
"It's incredibly validating to get this kind of recognition and to be able to talk to more people and spread my message to a whole range of audiences, but importantly to Indigenous students, young women and young neurodivergent people."
In the months since she was handed her award by the Prime Minister in Canberra, Dr Wruck had received some heartfelt feedback.
"I got an email from a student who asked if she could do her speech - which was about an Australian hero - on me," she said.
"This young girl actually sent me the speech and it was so beautiful."
Now, as the Young Australian of the Year with the respect of a nation behind her, Dr Wruck has also had to change her mindset.
"I used to enjoy being the underdog - but no more," she said.
Help find the 2025 Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year and Australia's Local Hero by nominating someone you admire.
The only way someone can be considered for the annual awards, which were first presented in 1960, is if a member of the public nominates them.
Nominate online at australianoftheyear.org.au. Nominations close at midnight on July 31.
The 2025 Young Australian of the Year Dr Katrina Wruck has revealed the life-changing impact of the award since she received the honour just over five months ago in Canberra.
Being awarded such a prestigious title finally gave her "validation" after years of self-doubt.
"It showed me that I can do really hard things. And that I can also talk to other young people about my journey, which hasn't been easy, but it's been worthwhile," she said.
"But I don't think things that are easy are really worthwhile."
Dr Wruck, 30, is neurodivergent and a proud Mabuigilaig and Goemulgal woman.
Based on the Gold Coast, she started the profit-for-purpose business Nguki Kula Green Labs, developing the world's first reusable laundry system, which transforms low-value rocks into eco-friendly detergent.
Since Dr Wruck received the Young Australian of the Year award, industry had reached out to her to develop the detergent commercially, something that was still in the works.
But, perhaps, the biggest impact had been on other people who could see themselves in her.
"I had a mum message me on my Facebook and she said, 'I watched your [Young Australian of the Year] speech with my daughter. She's neurodivergent and we both cried because she realised she could be a scientist'," Dr Wruck said. "Those kinds of messages are just everything."
Nominations for the 2026 awards are open until July 31.
Dr Wruck urged people to put forward someone they knew for the awards.
"Definitely nominate them," she said, adding that the other nominees for 2025 Young Australian of the Year had become firm friends.
"A really, beautiful supportive bunch," she said.
CLICK HERE TO NOMINATE NOW!
Dr Wruck said she was now busier than ever, juggling her academic work with Australian of the Year commitments.
Trying to be a public person while being neurodiverse had been a challenge - but also a revelation.
She said "masking" had in the past been a fallback position - hiding her true self to cope. But that was changing since she had been thrust into the national spotlight.
"I've kind of started taking that mask off a lot more, which has actually been really helpful because it's actually really draining to wear a mask - as in trying to assimilate to everyone's expectations of you," she said.
READ THEIR STORIES
Being named Young Australian of the Year also helped to banish her "impostor syndrome":
"It's incredibly validating to get this kind of recognition and to be able to talk to more people and spread my message to a whole range of audiences, but importantly to Indigenous students, young women and young neurodivergent people."
In the months since she was handed her award by the Prime Minister in Canberra, Dr Wruck had received some heartfelt feedback.
"I got an email from a student who asked if she could do her speech - which was about an Australian hero - on me," she said.
"This young girl actually sent me the speech and it was so beautiful."
Now, as the Young Australian of the Year with the respect of a nation behind her, Dr Wruck has also had to change her mindset.
"I used to enjoy being the underdog - but no more," she said.
Help find the 2025 Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year and Australia's Local Hero by nominating someone you admire.
The only way someone can be considered for the annual awards, which were first presented in 1960, is if a member of the public nominates them.
Nominate online at australianoftheyear.org.au. Nominations close at midnight on July 31.
The 2025 Young Australian of the Year Dr Katrina Wruck has revealed the life-changing impact of the award since she received the honour just over five months ago in Canberra.
Being awarded such a prestigious title finally gave her "validation" after years of self-doubt.
"It showed me that I can do really hard things. And that I can also talk to other young people about my journey, which hasn't been easy, but it's been worthwhile," she said.
"But I don't think things that are easy are really worthwhile."
Dr Wruck, 30, is neurodivergent and a proud Mabuigilaig and Goemulgal woman.
Based on the Gold Coast, she started the profit-for-purpose business Nguki Kula Green Labs, developing the world's first reusable laundry system, which transforms low-value rocks into eco-friendly detergent.
Since Dr Wruck received the Young Australian of the Year award, industry had reached out to her to develop the detergent commercially, something that was still in the works.
But, perhaps, the biggest impact had been on other people who could see themselves in her.
"I had a mum message me on my Facebook and she said, 'I watched your [Young Australian of the Year] speech with my daughter. She's neurodivergent and we both cried because she realised she could be a scientist'," Dr Wruck said. "Those kinds of messages are just everything."
Nominations for the 2026 awards are open until July 31.
Dr Wruck urged people to put forward someone they knew for the awards.
"Definitely nominate them," she said, adding that the other nominees for 2025 Young Australian of the Year had become firm friends.
"A really, beautiful supportive bunch," she said.
CLICK HERE TO NOMINATE NOW!
Dr Wruck said she was now busier than ever, juggling her academic work with Australian of the Year commitments.
Trying to be a public person while being neurodiverse had been a challenge - but also a revelation.
She said "masking" had in the past been a fallback position - hiding her true self to cope. But that was changing since she had been thrust into the national spotlight.
"I've kind of started taking that mask off a lot more, which has actually been really helpful because it's actually really draining to wear a mask - as in trying to assimilate to everyone's expectations of you," she said.
READ THEIR STORIES
Being named Young Australian of the Year also helped to banish her "impostor syndrome":
"It's incredibly validating to get this kind of recognition and to be able to talk to more people and spread my message to a whole range of audiences, but importantly to Indigenous students, young women and young neurodivergent people."
In the months since she was handed her award by the Prime Minister in Canberra, Dr Wruck had received some heartfelt feedback.
"I got an email from a student who asked if she could do her speech - which was about an Australian hero - on me," she said.
"This young girl actually sent me the speech and it was so beautiful."
Now, as the Young Australian of the Year with the respect of a nation behind her, Dr Wruck has also had to change her mindset.
"I used to enjoy being the underdog - but no more," she said.
Help find the 2025 Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year and Australia's Local Hero by nominating someone you admire.
The only way someone can be considered for the annual awards, which were first presented in 1960, is if a member of the public nominates them.
Nominate online at australianoftheyear.org.au. Nominations close at midnight on July 31.
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The service, named Wiyiliin Ta, was now "essentially shut", a senior health professional said. Insiders said most of its 10 staff had left after a dispute with Hunter New England Health management over the running of the service. "On paper, Wiyiliin Ta appears to exist. But it's not providing direct clinical care. "This is the effective closure of a CAMHS [Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service] site." Dr Anand Swamy, Hunter New England Health's executive director, denied this. "The Wiyiliin Ta mental health service continues to deliver specialised, culturally safe mental health care for Aboriginal children and adolescents," Dr Swamy said. Hunter New England Health advertised a job last month for a "senior Aboriginal mental health clinician" at Wiyiliin Ta. The advertisement said the role would be part of "a specialised Aboriginal mental health service". "We are actively recruiting to vacancies within the Wiyiliin Ta mental health service," Dr Swamy said. "We are moving to a shared leadership model between Aboriginal Mental Health and the Child and Adolescence Mental Health Service." Wiyiliin Ta began operating in 1997. "It was the only Aboriginal-specific service in NSW for many years," an insider said. It had been based at Tara Lodge at James Fletcher Hospital for about a decade, but is no longer there. The site had an Aboriginal flag and art, bush tucker garden, smoking ceremonies and an outdoor space. "There was always a guarantee that an Aboriginal person would be involved in the treatment," an insider said. "It was integrated into the Aboriginal community as a safe entry point. Now there is no safe entry point." Dr Swamy said Wiyiliin Ta had been co-located with the Aboriginal Mental Health Service, "based primarily at Calvary Mater Newcastle". This was done to "further enhance cultural safety and support". "This move has fostered a more connected and supportive environment for our dedicated team members," Dr Swamy said. The insiders said most of the 300 children that had been treated at Wiyiliin Ta would not use "mainstream mental health services". "There's still a lot of fear for Aboriginal people linked to the history of racism and removal of children," one insider said. "We're seeing a return to an antiquated model when it comes to Aboriginal access to specialist care. "Yet there's been ongoing findings from coroners and government inquiries that Aboriginal people need specific services to meet their cultural needs." Suicide rates among Indigenous people aged up to 24 are more than three times as high as non-Indigenous Australians. Key causes of psychological distress for Aboriginal people are racism and intergenerational trauma. Wiyiliin Ta provided a "connection to culture" that helped protect young people facing complex mental health difficulties. It also helped those involved in the criminal justice system. The insiders said the health service had not informed the Aboriginal community or consulted them about the situation at Wiyiliin Ta. Dr Swamy said: "We continue to work with our Aboriginal partner agencies and the community". More than 300 Aboriginal children and young people are missing out on mental health care in the Hunter, insiders say, but Hunter New England Health denies the specialist clinic's "effective closure". The youngsters, aged three to 18, experience conditions like psychosis, personality disorders and extreme anxiety, along with self harm and suicidal thoughts. They had been treated at an Aboriginal-specific service at James Fletcher Hospital. The service, named Wiyiliin Ta, was now "essentially shut", a senior health professional said. Insiders said most of its 10 staff had left after a dispute with Hunter New England Health management over the running of the service. "On paper, Wiyiliin Ta appears to exist. But it's not providing direct clinical care. "This is the effective closure of a CAMHS [Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service] site." Dr Anand Swamy, Hunter New England Health's executive director, denied this. "The Wiyiliin Ta mental health service continues to deliver specialised, culturally safe mental health care for Aboriginal children and adolescents," Dr Swamy said. Hunter New England Health advertised a job last month for a "senior Aboriginal mental health clinician" at Wiyiliin Ta. The advertisement said the role would be part of "a specialised Aboriginal mental health service". "We are actively recruiting to vacancies within the Wiyiliin Ta mental health service," Dr Swamy said. "We are moving to a shared leadership model between Aboriginal Mental Health and the Child and Adolescence Mental Health Service." Wiyiliin Ta began operating in 1997. "It was the only Aboriginal-specific service in NSW for many years," an insider said. It had been based at Tara Lodge at James Fletcher Hospital for about a decade, but is no longer there. The site had an Aboriginal flag and art, bush tucker garden, smoking ceremonies and an outdoor space. "There was always a guarantee that an Aboriginal person would be involved in the treatment," an insider said. "It was integrated into the Aboriginal community as a safe entry point. Now there is no safe entry point." Dr Swamy said Wiyiliin Ta had been co-located with the Aboriginal Mental Health Service, "based primarily at Calvary Mater Newcastle". This was done to "further enhance cultural safety and support". "This move has fostered a more connected and supportive environment for our dedicated team members," Dr Swamy said. The insiders said most of the 300 children that had been treated at Wiyiliin Ta would not use "mainstream mental health services". "There's still a lot of fear for Aboriginal people linked to the history of racism and removal of children," one insider said. "We're seeing a return to an antiquated model when it comes to Aboriginal access to specialist care. "Yet there's been ongoing findings from coroners and government inquiries that Aboriginal people need specific services to meet their cultural needs." Suicide rates among Indigenous people aged up to 24 are more than three times as high as non-Indigenous Australians. Key causes of psychological distress for Aboriginal people are racism and intergenerational trauma. Wiyiliin Ta provided a "connection to culture" that helped protect young people facing complex mental health difficulties. It also helped those involved in the criminal justice system. The insiders said the health service had not informed the Aboriginal community or consulted them about the situation at Wiyiliin Ta. Dr Swamy said: "We continue to work with our Aboriginal partner agencies and the community".
