Alumni News

Archibald Prize 2025 portraits of Neale Daniher, Grace Tame and Willima Barton

Archibald Prize 2025

The Archibald Prize is an Australian portraiture art prize for painting and is generally seen as the most prestigious portrait prize in Australia. 

So, it's only fitting that recipients of Australia's most prestigious awards program sit for it. 

2025 Australian of the Year Neale Daniher AO, 2021 Australian of the Year Grace Tame and 2023 QLD Australian of the Year William Barton all have their portraits included in the 2025 Archibald, on display in the Art Gallery of NSW until 14 August 2025.

Captions:
Archibald Prize 2025 finalist, Linda Gold ‘Still standing and fighting’, oil on canvas, 120 x 100 cm © the artist, image © Art Gallery of New South Wales, Jenni Carter. Sitter: Neale Daniher 

Archibald Prize 2025 finalist, Mostafa Azimitabar ‘The definition of hope’, oil on linen, 198.5 x 137.3 cm © the artist, image © Art Gallery of New South Wales, Jenni Carter 

Archibald Prize 2025 finalist, Loribelle Spirovski ‘Finger painting of William Barton’, oil on canvas, 182.6 x 137 cm © the artist, image © Art Gallery of New South Wales, Jenni Carter 

Photo of Vanessa and Hannah in the NT

Australia's Local Heroes take on the Territory

2025 Australia’s Local Heroes Vanessa Brettell and Hannah Costello ventured to the Northern Territory for a Tour of Honour. In town for National Refugee Week, they visited schools, community groups and spoke at the Australia Day Council of NT's OZ Forum event (2025 NT Young Australian of the Year Nilesh Dilushan also joined the panel). An inspiring visit for all.
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Christine at a site visit

Alumni helping to transform SA housing

2023 SA Local Hero Christine Robertson OAM participated in a housing deliberation a while back with Amplify, a not-for-profit turning community ideas into outcomes. They met with South Australia's Premier and Housing Minister recently about unlocking the potential of prefabricated housing and attended a site visit to see how affordable homes can be built using modern methods.
Learn more about Christine

Big Freeze Gala Lunch

It was a day of inspiration, community and icy courage to celebrate Big Freeze 11 and honour 2025 Australian of the Year Neale Daniher. The 2025 Big Freeze Gala Lunch paid tribute to Neale’s unwavering fight against MND, his tireless advocacy and the legacy he continues to build. A panel discussion featured Australian cricket great and 1999 Australian of the Year Mark Taylor, while 2022 Australian of the Year Dylan Alcott AO also showed his support.

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David Elliott OAM named a 2025 Queensland Great

2024 Australia's Local Hero David Elliott OAM was officially honoured as a 2025 Queensland Great by the Queensland Government. From uncovering a fossil on a sheep station to establishing the world’s largest collection of Australian dinosaur fossils, David’s passion and vision have forever changed the cultural and scientific landscape of Outback Queensland. His story is a powerful reminder of how one idea – fuelled by curiosity and community – can spark a movement felt across the world. Congratulations, David!

Read more about David

Indigenous Knowledges challenging the system

The Australian Academy of Science held a celebration of Indigenous excellence in science. Featuring 2025 Young Australian of the Year Dr Katrina Wruck and 2024 SA Young Australian of the Year Tiahni Adamson, it was a call to action for meaningful reconciliation through research, respect and relationship.

Watch livestream recording

Keren is 2025 Carer of the Year

As a devoted full-time carer for her daughter Bella, 2025 TAS Local Hero Keren advocates every day for her comfort, safety and access to care. Keren reflects the commitment of so many carers across the country and she was recently awarded 2025 Carer of the Year by Continence Health Australia. Congratulations, Keren!
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Photo of sally_wise_oam and_vicki_purnell_oam

Tasmanian Honour Roll of Women inductees

2019 TAS Senior of the Year Sally Wise OAM (pictured left) and 2019 TAS Local Hero Vicki Purnell OAM were inducted into the Tasmanian Women’s Honour Roll for their ongoing work in the community. Vicki was also in the news for making and donating her 1000th fidget quilt to hospitals to comfort patients with dementia.
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Photo of Catherine Freeman OAM led the third Inspiring Australians Student Summit at Murray Bridge High School

Cathy Freeman OAM inspires at student summit

Olympic champion, Indigenous education advocate and 1998 Australian of the Year Cathy Freeman OAM led the third Inspiring Australians Student Summit at Murray Bridge High School, South Australia. She was joined by 2023 Australian of the Year Taryn Brumfitt. 

This flagship initiative, delivered by the Australia Day Council of South Australia in partnership with the Department for Education, brings together Australians of the Year and nominees to inspire young people across the state. 

"We want young people to believe in themselves and make decisions that benefit their futures, families and communities. Education is the most powerful pathway to that change," said Cathy. 

Claire and 43 carolling magpies

The first sound 2025 QLD Local Hero Claire Smith heard when she landed in Australia from the United Kingdom was the carolling song of a nearby magpie. That was enough to make her fall in love with Australian wildlife.
Listen on ABC Conversations
Photo of Martha Jabour

Martha and the police officer who cried

2025 NSW Local Hero Martha Jabour is someone who has lived through the worst possible day for a parent. Having trained as a grief and trauma counsellor, her work with grieving parents saw her tapped on the shoulder to start a Homicide Victims Support Group.
Listen on ABC Conversations

2025 WACOSS Community Services Excellence Awards

Congratulations to 2025 WA Local Hero Dr Jacinta Vu and 2022 WA Local Hero Craig Hollywood! Healing Smiles took home the Trailblazing Small Organisation: Catalysts of Community Innovation award, and Craig received the award for Outstanding Contribution: Going Above and Beyond, for his work through Short Back & Sidewalks. Your dedication and impact continue to make a difference and inspire us all!

Read more about Jacinta's work with Healing Smiles

The poker-playing cardiologist

As a junior doctor working in remote communities, Dr Bo Remenyi was tasked with filling out death certificates for children dying of preventable heart disease. Finding this unfair and unacceptable, Bo spent a further six years studying to become one of Australia’s first female paediatric cardiologists. But her path to being named 2018 NT Australian of the Year has been filled with unexpected twists and risks.

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Play on, says Neale

As a footy legend and fighter of motor neurone disease – a battle that he has determinedly fought for 10 years and counting – 2025 Australian of the Year Neale Daniher AO had many life lessons to share at Auspire’s latest Inspiring Australians event.

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Photo of Heidi Prowse

Grief and resilience

2017 ACT Young Australian of the Year Heidi Prowse has done amazing things for Cystic Fibrosis ACT after her husband was personally affected by the debilitating disease. Now, Heidi has written and published a beautiful, personal book about grief and resilience, called We Should Have Grown Old Together.
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Photo of Keren Franks and Senator Carol Brown

Keren attends Tasmanian citizenship ceremony

2025 TAS Local Hero Keren Franks was guest speaker at a citizenship ceremony in Tasmania recently. Pictured here with Senator Carol Brown, Keren weaved her personal story into the broader themes of citizenship and being active members of your community.
Read more about Keren
Photo of George Petrou OAM with portrait of Daniel Nour

The Art of Humanity

Some of our Australians of the Year have been included in a new book, The Art of Humanity. It showcases portraits and stories of remarkable Australians who care for those in need. Amar Singh, Dr Daniel Nour, Nic Marchesi OAM and Lucas Patchett OAM, Valmai Dempsey OAM, Sir Edward 'Weary' Dunlop AC CMG OBE and Professor Tom Calma AO are all featured.
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Photo of Marilyn Ralston receiving certificate

Recipients added to ACT Women's Honour Roll

Congratulations to Australia's Local Heroes Vanessa Brettell and Hannah Costello, 2025 ACT co-Senior Australian of the Year Marilyn Ralston (pictured) and 2025 ACT Australian of the Year Megan Gilmour who were all added to the 2025 ACT Women's Honour Roll. The Roll acknowledges and celebrates outstanding achievements of women in Canberra.
View the Roll

Dr Dinesh redefines possibility

In a world-first achievement, 2021 QLD Australian of the Year Dr Dinesh Palipana OAM became the first person with quadriplegia to climb Brisbane’s iconic Story Bridge. With every meter climbed, he pushed the boundaries of what’s considered possible—not just for himself, but for every person living with disability. It's also a world-first accessible bridge climb experience, well done, Brissy. “I think by showcasing activities like this, society can see what people with disability are capable of. If someone can climb a bridge, what is stopping someone from accessing education or employment?” said Dinesh.

Learn more about Dinesh

A sciencey memoir...

He became one of the world's favourite scientific storytellers. Congratulations to 2025 NSW Senior Australian of the Year Dr Karl Kruszelnicki AM. His memoir, A Periodic Tale, has been shortlisted for Biography of the Year at the 2025 Australian Book Industry Awards!

Learn more about Dr Karl's memoir
Megan Gilmour addresses room

School Absence Talks

2025 ACT Australian of the Year Megan Gilmour's MissingSchool hosted a landmark event at Parliament House to launch their 2025 campaign. Fifteen children’s health organisations shared lived experience vignettes at the intersection of education, health and disability. A lineup of MPs have voiced their support for sustainable solutions to chronic school absence.
Read about Megan
Dr Karl pictured with Sam Elsom

Shirtloads of Science with Sam

Atmospheric Carbon is burning us up. CO₂ is the big culprit but what about methane? Australian scientists have a very cool answer with seaweed. Dr Karl sat down with 2025 Tasmanian Australian of the Year Sam Elsom, founder of Sea Forest, to explain the science.
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WOMEN IN SPORT 

The Office for Women in Sport and Recreation's International Women's Day event discussed ways to engage the next generation of women and girls in sport. 

2025 VIC Local Hero Jasmine Hirst was one of the panellists. Over the last 15 years, Jasmine has given hundreds of girls and women the opportunity to play soccer.

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Brother Olly honoured in art

West Australian Society of Arts held their 129th Annual Art Exhibition. 2025 Senior Australian of the Year Brother Olly Pickett AM sat for a live portrait paining for artist Jenny Davies. Their unique live event, Portraits in Giving, featured talented artists each painting portraits of local volunteers. Brother Olly was the perfect subject.

Read more about Brother Olly