Latest news with #YoungAustralianoftheYear
The Advertiser
9 hours ago
- Health
- The Advertiser
Author Jackie French wants you to find the champion who'll make 2026 count
Jackie French wants you to think long and hard about who you nominate for Australian of the Year. And it's not because she found her time as Senior Australian of the Year in 2015 such hard work. It's because of all the things she was able to achieve in those 12 months. Nominations for the 2026 Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year and Australia's Local Hero close at midnight on July 31. 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. A decade after she received the honour, as she encourages Australians to think about who to nominate for the 2026 awards, French has recalled her own award's impact on her work. The environmental campaigner and author of novels like The Whisperer's War and beloved children's books like Diary of a Wombat spent her time as Senior Australian of the Year promoting literacy and urging others to recognise the transformational power of reading, creativity and storytelling in the lives of young people. And everywhere she went, people listened to her. "One of the hard things, though, when you're an advocate and you've got a short period of time is that some things can just be done with the stroke of a ministerial pen," she said. "Getting dyslexia classified as a disability, getting the way teachers are trained changed, getting a prototype of what that could look like." Having overcome dyslexia herself, she's passionate about having it recognised more easily in schools so that as many children as possible can get help early. CLICK HERE TO NOMINATE SOMEONE NOW! "I think I expected that within a couple of weeks or a couple of months, everything would change. And of course, it hasn't. People have to be trained. People have to be trained to actually train the trainers, who then need to train the teachers," she said. "[But] it's the way that teaching reading and writing in our schools is changing because of the work I did that year." But she also saw other changes happen quickly. "You can get things done. [For example] speaking to the Northern Territory chief minister, in a very Northern Territory way - he was actually holding a beer at a backyard barbecue - about why my literacy needed to be taught in prisons, which was one of the other things I campaigned for," she said. "I went to prisons and drug rehabilitation areas around Australia, finding out that just about every person in a medium security prison wasn't able to read or write. "And just at the barbecue, the chief minister said, 'Well, they're doing nothing else but sitting on their arses, aren't they?' He calls over his PA or whatever it was and said, 'We'll get it done'." But she cringed at the memory of being invited to the Lodge and lambasting then Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull at his approach to changing copyright laws, even while she was shaking his hand. "I'm still very embarrassed ... but it was the only way. I knew that greeting or shaking hands was the only time I was going to give a meeting with him." She also played a role in reversing a proposal for a mine near her home in Majors Creek, NSW, to process cyanide upstream of the community's drinking water. And she still cherished the memory of realising that she and her fellow recipients were, for the first time, all women. "We did an enormous amount of work," she said of the ensuing 12 months. "It was absolutely gruelling work that we did to get the projects going, and we kept checking on each other, just saying, basically, how are you going? "And I suspect we may have been the only group of recipients who did that, and I think it was again, because we were all women." READ THEIR STORIES In the same year, she was named National Children's Laureate, and said she found the double responsibility quite overwhelming. "I really urge people to nominate, but when you nominate, remember the criteria," she said. "This isn't for someone who has done something wonderful. That's what all of the awards are for - the King's birthday awards and things like that, for what people have already done when you nominate them. "Nominate someone who can use that year to really, really make a difference." Help find the 2026 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 or scan the QR code on this page. Nominations close at midnight on July 31. Jackie French wants you to think long and hard about who you nominate for Australian of the Year. And it's not because she found her time as Senior Australian of the Year in 2015 such hard work. It's because of all the things she was able to achieve in those 12 months. Nominations for the 2026 Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year and Australia's Local Hero close at midnight on July 31. 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. A decade after she received the honour, as she encourages Australians to think about who to nominate for the 2026 awards, French has recalled her own award's impact on her work. The environmental campaigner and author of novels like The Whisperer's War and beloved children's books like Diary of a Wombat spent her time as Senior Australian of the Year promoting literacy and urging others to recognise the transformational power of reading, creativity and storytelling in the lives of young people. And everywhere she went, people listened to her. "One of the hard things, though, when you're an advocate and you've got a short period of time is that some things can just be done with the stroke of a ministerial pen," she said. "Getting dyslexia classified as a disability, getting the way teachers are trained changed, getting a prototype of what that could look like." Having overcome dyslexia herself, she's passionate about having it recognised more easily in schools so that as many children as possible can get help early. CLICK HERE TO NOMINATE SOMEONE NOW! "I think I expected that within a couple of weeks or a couple of months, everything would change. And of course, it hasn't. People have to be trained. People have to be trained to actually train the trainers, who then need to train the teachers," she said. "[But] it's the way that teaching reading and writing in our schools is changing because of the work I did that year." But she also saw other changes happen quickly. "You can get things done. [For example] speaking to the Northern Territory chief minister, in a very Northern Territory way - he was actually holding a beer at a backyard barbecue - about why my literacy needed to be taught in prisons, which was one of the other things I campaigned for," she said. "I went to prisons and drug rehabilitation areas around Australia, finding out that just about every person in a medium security prison wasn't able to read or write. "And just at the barbecue, the chief minister said, 'Well, they're doing nothing else but sitting on their arses, aren't they?' He calls over his PA or whatever it was and said, 'We'll get it done'." But she cringed at the memory of being invited to the Lodge and lambasting then Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull at his approach to changing copyright laws, even while she was shaking his hand. "I'm still very embarrassed ... but it was the only way. I knew that greeting or shaking hands was the only time I was going to give a meeting with him." She also played a role in reversing a proposal for a mine near her home in Majors Creek, NSW, to process cyanide upstream of the community's drinking water. And she still cherished the memory of realising that she and her fellow recipients were, for the first time, all women. "We did an enormous amount of work," she said of the ensuing 12 months. "It was absolutely gruelling work that we did to get the projects going, and we kept checking on each other, just saying, basically, how are you going? "And I suspect we may have been the only group of recipients who did that, and I think it was again, because we were all women." READ THEIR STORIES In the same year, she was named National Children's Laureate, and said she found the double responsibility quite overwhelming. "I really urge people to nominate, but when you nominate, remember the criteria," she said. "This isn't for someone who has done something wonderful. That's what all of the awards are for - the King's birthday awards and things like that, for what people have already done when you nominate them. "Nominate someone who can use that year to really, really make a difference." Help find the 2026 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 or scan the QR code on this page. Nominations close at midnight on July 31. Jackie French wants you to think long and hard about who you nominate for Australian of the Year. And it's not because she found her time as Senior Australian of the Year in 2015 such hard work. It's because of all the things she was able to achieve in those 12 months. Nominations for the 2026 Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year and Australia's Local Hero close at midnight on July 31. 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. A decade after she received the honour, as she encourages Australians to think about who to nominate for the 2026 awards, French has recalled her own award's impact on her work. The environmental campaigner and author of novels like The Whisperer's War and beloved children's books like Diary of a Wombat spent her time as Senior Australian of the Year promoting literacy and urging others to recognise the transformational power of reading, creativity and storytelling in the lives of young people. And everywhere she went, people listened to her. "One of the hard things, though, when you're an advocate and you've got a short period of time is that some things can just be done with the stroke of a ministerial pen," she said. "Getting dyslexia classified as a disability, getting the way teachers are trained changed, getting a prototype of what that could look like." Having overcome dyslexia herself, she's passionate about having it recognised more easily in schools so that as many children as possible can get help early. CLICK HERE TO NOMINATE SOMEONE NOW! "I think I expected that within a couple of weeks or a couple of months, everything would change. And of course, it hasn't. People have to be trained. People have to be trained to actually train the trainers, who then need to train the teachers," she said. "[But] it's the way that teaching reading and writing in our schools is changing because of the work I did that year." But she also saw other changes happen quickly. "You can get things done. [For example] speaking to the Northern Territory chief minister, in a very Northern Territory way - he was actually holding a beer at a backyard barbecue - about why my literacy needed to be taught in prisons, which was one of the other things I campaigned for," she said. "I went to prisons and drug rehabilitation areas around Australia, finding out that just about every person in a medium security prison wasn't able to read or write. "And just at the barbecue, the chief minister said, 'Well, they're doing nothing else but sitting on their arses, aren't they?' He calls over his PA or whatever it was and said, 'We'll get it done'." But she cringed at the memory of being invited to the Lodge and lambasting then Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull at his approach to changing copyright laws, even while she was shaking his hand. "I'm still very embarrassed ... but it was the only way. I knew that greeting or shaking hands was the only time I was going to give a meeting with him." She also played a role in reversing a proposal for a mine near her home in Majors Creek, NSW, to process cyanide upstream of the community's drinking water. And she still cherished the memory of realising that she and her fellow recipients were, for the first time, all women. "We did an enormous amount of work," she said of the ensuing 12 months. "It was absolutely gruelling work that we did to get the projects going, and we kept checking on each other, just saying, basically, how are you going? "And I suspect we may have been the only group of recipients who did that, and I think it was again, because we were all women." READ THEIR STORIES In the same year, she was named National Children's Laureate, and said she found the double responsibility quite overwhelming. "I really urge people to nominate, but when you nominate, remember the criteria," she said. "This isn't for someone who has done something wonderful. That's what all of the awards are for - the King's birthday awards and things like that, for what people have already done when you nominate them. "Nominate someone who can use that year to really, really make a difference." Help find the 2026 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 or scan the QR code on this page. Nominations close at midnight on July 31. Jackie French wants you to think long and hard about who you nominate for Australian of the Year. And it's not because she found her time as Senior Australian of the Year in 2015 such hard work. It's because of all the things she was able to achieve in those 12 months. Nominations for the 2026 Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year and Australia's Local Hero close at midnight on July 31. 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. A decade after she received the honour, as she encourages Australians to think about who to nominate for the 2026 awards, French has recalled her own award's impact on her work. The environmental campaigner and author of novels like The Whisperer's War and beloved children's books like Diary of a Wombat spent her time as Senior Australian of the Year promoting literacy and urging others to recognise the transformational power of reading, creativity and storytelling in the lives of young people. And everywhere she went, people listened to her. "One of the hard things, though, when you're an advocate and you've got a short period of time is that some things can just be done with the stroke of a ministerial pen," she said. "Getting dyslexia classified as a disability, getting the way teachers are trained changed, getting a prototype of what that could look like." Having overcome dyslexia herself, she's passionate about having it recognised more easily in schools so that as many children as possible can get help early. CLICK HERE TO NOMINATE SOMEONE NOW! "I think I expected that within a couple of weeks or a couple of months, everything would change. And of course, it hasn't. People have to be trained. People have to be trained to actually train the trainers, who then need to train the teachers," she said. "[But] it's the way that teaching reading and writing in our schools is changing because of the work I did that year." But she also saw other changes happen quickly. "You can get things done. [For example] speaking to the Northern Territory chief minister, in a very Northern Territory way - he was actually holding a beer at a backyard barbecue - about why my literacy needed to be taught in prisons, which was one of the other things I campaigned for," she said. "I went to prisons and drug rehabilitation areas around Australia, finding out that just about every person in a medium security prison wasn't able to read or write. "And just at the barbecue, the chief minister said, 'Well, they're doing nothing else but sitting on their arses, aren't they?' He calls over his PA or whatever it was and said, 'We'll get it done'." But she cringed at the memory of being invited to the Lodge and lambasting then Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull at his approach to changing copyright laws, even while she was shaking his hand. "I'm still very embarrassed ... but it was the only way. I knew that greeting or shaking hands was the only time I was going to give a meeting with him." She also played a role in reversing a proposal for a mine near her home in Majors Creek, NSW, to process cyanide upstream of the community's drinking water. And she still cherished the memory of realising that she and her fellow recipients were, for the first time, all women. "We did an enormous amount of work," she said of the ensuing 12 months. "It was absolutely gruelling work that we did to get the projects going, and we kept checking on each other, just saying, basically, how are you going? "And I suspect we may have been the only group of recipients who did that, and I think it was again, because we were all women." READ THEIR STORIES In the same year, she was named National Children's Laureate, and said she found the double responsibility quite overwhelming. "I really urge people to nominate, but when you nominate, remember the criteria," she said. "This isn't for someone who has done something wonderful. That's what all of the awards are for - the King's birthday awards and things like that, for what people have already done when you nominate them. "Nominate someone who can use that year to really, really make a difference." Help find the 2026 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 or scan the QR code on this page. Nominations close at midnight on July 31.
7NEWS
2 days ago
- Sport
- 7NEWS
Crisafulli Government encourages Queenslanders to submit locals for the 2026 Australian of the Year
The Crisafulli Government is encouraging Queenslanders to celebrate local individuals who have made a difference to their community. Nominations for the four categories will close on Thursday. The awards include: Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year and Australia's Local Hero. 'This is about recognising those heroes who quietly go about making Queensland a better place to live, today and into the future,' Premier David Crisafulli said. The panel said they are looking for someone who has made a significant contribution to Australia or community, excels in their field, and inspires others. Last year's winner was Neale Daniher, former AFL legend, recognised for his contribution to charity and advocacy for motor neurone disease research. Anyone over the age of 16 can be nominated, except sitting politicians. Nominations can be submitted via the Australian of the Year website.
The Advertiser
19-07-2025
- General
- The Advertiser
'We both cried': Australians of the Year call for more nominations in 2026 awards
The 2025 Young Australian of the Year and the Senior Australian of the Year while on a visit to Canberra this week have spoken about the life-changing effect of receiving the honour just over five months ago. Queensland scientist Dr Katrina Wruck and Brother Olly Pickett, co-founder of Wheelchair for Kids, have also urged other Aussies to nominate someone they know for next year's awards. Nominations for the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards are open until midnight on July 31. You can nominate someone here. For Young Australian of the Year Dr Wruck, receiving the honour finally gave her "validation" after years of self-doubt. "It showed me that I can do really hard things and while I'm doing it 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." For Senior Australian of the Year, Brother Olly Pickett, the award has had some beautiful spin-offs for vulnerable children around the globe. For a start, more people learnt about the charity Wheelchair for Kids, which provides free wheelchairs and occupational therapy expertise for children in developing countries. The wheelchairs are assembled in a factory in WA by retirees. Brother Olly said in the weeks after winning Senior Australian of the Year, he was approached by a local woman who wanted to donate 1000 wheelchairs. "I said, 'You do realise that's going to cost you $275,000?'," Brother Pickett said. "She said, 'Yes, I've come into a bit of money'. She said, 'I saw the ad in the paper and it got to me. I want to help 1000 little kids'. I said, 'That's amazing'." She was serious, too, because she had a representative of her bank with her to make the transfer. "Just to see the smiles on the kids' faces. That you're able to help someone who you might never meet," he said. "We all want to help these little kids. Otherwise, they'd be all lying on the ground. And so it gives them some dignity in their life." Dr Wruck 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 winning the Young Australian of the Year, 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 [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." Dr Wruck and Brother Olly on July 2 attended a special event for subscribers of The Canberra Times and had dinner at Government House with Governor-General Sam Mostyn. They were due to appear on Sunrise on Thursday morning from the Stepping Stones cafe at Strathnairn, with the business's co-founders Vanessa Brettell and Hannah Costello who were the recipients of the 2025 Australia's Local Hero award. Nominations for the 2026 awards are open again in the categories of Australian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year and Australia's Local Hero. Brother Olly said he already had a nomination in mind, while Dr Wruck also urged people to put forward someone they knew. "Definitely nominate them," she said, adding that the other nominees for 2025 Young Australian of the Year had become her firm friends. "A really, beautiful supportive bunch," she said. The 2025 Young Australian of the Year and the Senior Australian of the Year while on a visit to Canberra this week have spoken about the life-changing effect of receiving the honour just over five months ago. Queensland scientist Dr Katrina Wruck and Brother Olly Pickett, co-founder of Wheelchair for Kids, have also urged other Aussies to nominate someone they know for next year's awards. Nominations for the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards are open until midnight on July 31. You can nominate someone here. For Young Australian of the Year Dr Wruck, receiving the honour finally gave her "validation" after years of self-doubt. "It showed me that I can do really hard things and while I'm doing it 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." For Senior Australian of the Year, Brother Olly Pickett, the award has had some beautiful spin-offs for vulnerable children around the globe. For a start, more people learnt about the charity Wheelchair for Kids, which provides free wheelchairs and occupational therapy expertise for children in developing countries. The wheelchairs are assembled in a factory in WA by retirees. Brother Olly said in the weeks after winning Senior Australian of the Year, he was approached by a local woman who wanted to donate 1000 wheelchairs. "I said, 'You do realise that's going to cost you $275,000?'," Brother Pickett said. "She said, 'Yes, I've come into a bit of money'. She said, 'I saw the ad in the paper and it got to me. I want to help 1000 little kids'. I said, 'That's amazing'." She was serious, too, because she had a representative of her bank with her to make the transfer. "Just to see the smiles on the kids' faces. That you're able to help someone who you might never meet," he said. "We all want to help these little kids. Otherwise, they'd be all lying on the ground. And so it gives them some dignity in their life." Dr Wruck 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 winning the Young Australian of the Year, 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 [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." Dr Wruck and Brother Olly on July 2 attended a special event for subscribers of The Canberra Times and had dinner at Government House with Governor-General Sam Mostyn. They were due to appear on Sunrise on Thursday morning from the Stepping Stones cafe at Strathnairn, with the business's co-founders Vanessa Brettell and Hannah Costello who were the recipients of the 2025 Australia's Local Hero award. Nominations for the 2026 awards are open again in the categories of Australian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year and Australia's Local Hero. Brother Olly said he already had a nomination in mind, while Dr Wruck also urged people to put forward someone they knew. "Definitely nominate them," she said, adding that the other nominees for 2025 Young Australian of the Year had become her firm friends. "A really, beautiful supportive bunch," she said. The 2025 Young Australian of the Year and the Senior Australian of the Year while on a visit to Canberra this week have spoken about the life-changing effect of receiving the honour just over five months ago. Queensland scientist Dr Katrina Wruck and Brother Olly Pickett, co-founder of Wheelchair for Kids, have also urged other Aussies to nominate someone they know for next year's awards. Nominations for the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards are open until midnight on July 31. You can nominate someone here. For Young Australian of the Year Dr Wruck, receiving the honour finally gave her "validation" after years of self-doubt. "It showed me that I can do really hard things and while I'm doing it 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." For Senior Australian of the Year, Brother Olly Pickett, the award has had some beautiful spin-offs for vulnerable children around the globe. For a start, more people learnt about the charity Wheelchair for Kids, which provides free wheelchairs and occupational therapy expertise for children in developing countries. The wheelchairs are assembled in a factory in WA by retirees. Brother Olly said in the weeks after winning Senior Australian of the Year, he was approached by a local woman who wanted to donate 1000 wheelchairs. "I said, 'You do realise that's going to cost you $275,000?'," Brother Pickett said. "She said, 'Yes, I've come into a bit of money'. She said, 'I saw the ad in the paper and it got to me. I want to help 1000 little kids'. I said, 'That's amazing'." She was serious, too, because she had a representative of her bank with her to make the transfer. "Just to see the smiles on the kids' faces. That you're able to help someone who you might never meet," he said. "We all want to help these little kids. Otherwise, they'd be all lying on the ground. And so it gives them some dignity in their life." Dr Wruck 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 winning the Young Australian of the Year, 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 [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." Dr Wruck and Brother Olly on July 2 attended a special event for subscribers of The Canberra Times and had dinner at Government House with Governor-General Sam Mostyn. They were due to appear on Sunrise on Thursday morning from the Stepping Stones cafe at Strathnairn, with the business's co-founders Vanessa Brettell and Hannah Costello who were the recipients of the 2025 Australia's Local Hero award. Nominations for the 2026 awards are open again in the categories of Australian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year and Australia's Local Hero. Brother Olly said he already had a nomination in mind, while Dr Wruck also urged people to put forward someone they knew. "Definitely nominate them," she said, adding that the other nominees for 2025 Young Australian of the Year had become her firm friends. "A really, beautiful supportive bunch," she said. The 2025 Young Australian of the Year and the Senior Australian of the Year while on a visit to Canberra this week have spoken about the life-changing effect of receiving the honour just over five months ago. Queensland scientist Dr Katrina Wruck and Brother Olly Pickett, co-founder of Wheelchair for Kids, have also urged other Aussies to nominate someone they know for next year's awards. Nominations for the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards are open until midnight on July 31. You can nominate someone here. For Young Australian of the Year Dr Wruck, receiving the honour finally gave her "validation" after years of self-doubt. "It showed me that I can do really hard things and while I'm doing it 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." For Senior Australian of the Year, Brother Olly Pickett, the award has had some beautiful spin-offs for vulnerable children around the globe. For a start, more people learnt about the charity Wheelchair for Kids, which provides free wheelchairs and occupational therapy expertise for children in developing countries. The wheelchairs are assembled in a factory in WA by retirees. Brother Olly said in the weeks after winning Senior Australian of the Year, he was approached by a local woman who wanted to donate 1000 wheelchairs. "I said, 'You do realise that's going to cost you $275,000?'," Brother Pickett said. "She said, 'Yes, I've come into a bit of money'. She said, 'I saw the ad in the paper and it got to me. I want to help 1000 little kids'. I said, 'That's amazing'." She was serious, too, because she had a representative of her bank with her to make the transfer. "Just to see the smiles on the kids' faces. That you're able to help someone who you might never meet," he said. "We all want to help these little kids. Otherwise, they'd be all lying on the ground. And so it gives them some dignity in their life." Dr Wruck 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 winning the Young Australian of the Year, 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 [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." Dr Wruck and Brother Olly on July 2 attended a special event for subscribers of The Canberra Times and had dinner at Government House with Governor-General Sam Mostyn. They were due to appear on Sunrise on Thursday morning from the Stepping Stones cafe at Strathnairn, with the business's co-founders Vanessa Brettell and Hannah Costello who were the recipients of the 2025 Australia's Local Hero award. Nominations for the 2026 awards are open again in the categories of Australian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year and Australia's Local Hero. Brother Olly said he already had a nomination in mind, while Dr Wruck also urged people to put forward someone they knew. "Definitely nominate them," she said, adding that the other nominees for 2025 Young Australian of the Year had become her firm friends. "A really, beautiful supportive bunch," she said.
The Advertiser
07-07-2025
- Health
- The Advertiser
'We both cried': Dr Katrina Wruck reveals the emotional impact of her award
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 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 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 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 Nominations close at midnight on July 31.
Canberra Times
06-07-2025
- Science
- Canberra Times
'We both cried': Dr Katrina Wruck reveals the emotional impact of her award
"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."
