MEDIA RELEASE
TUESDAY 12 NOVEMBER 2024
2025 AUSTRALIANS OF THE YEAR FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA ANNOUNCED
2025 Australians of the Year for Western Australia - Dianne and Ian Haggerty (Mollerin)
2025 Senior Australian of the Year for Western Australia - Brother Thomas Oliver Pickett AM (Perth)
2025 Young Australian of the Year for Western Australia - Jack Anderson (Applecross)
2025 Local Hero for Western Australia - Dr Jacinta Vu (Como)
The 2025 Australian of the Year Awards recipients for Western Australia have been announced at a ceremony in Perth this evening.
The Western Australia recipients will join those from the other states and territories for the national awards to be announced on 25 January 2025.
The 2025 Australians of the Year for Western Australia are agriculture pioneers Dianne and Ian Haggerty.
Dianne and Ian Haggerty are passionate about restoring landscape ecology, producing optimum health promoting food, fibre and beverage while supporting planetary health outcomes.
With the foundation of Natural Intelligence Farming (NIF), Dianne and Ian pioneered a modern farming practise focused on supporting diverse microbiomes in soil, plant, and animals – boosting immune system function, nutrient diversity and resilience.
NIF places trust and appreciation in the wisdom of natural systems, enabling them to replace synthetic fertilisers with natural fertility processes, such as plant diversity, compost extract, worm liquids and the microbiome of ruminant livestock. In very dry and poor soil conditions, they’ve pioneered a farming approach that optimises water use and rebuilds soils, biodiversity and landscape function.
Working with 26,000 hectares, Dianne (58) and Ian (59) have demonstrated viability at scale. Their world leading approach has attracted global recognition, with Dianne invited to present at Australian and international conferences supporting other farmers in their own journey.
Brother Thomas Oliver Pickett AM, Co-founder of Wheelchairs For Kids, is the 2025 Senior Australian of the Year for Western Australia.
Brother Thomas Oliver (Olly) Pickett AM co-founded Wheelchairs For Kids in 1996 to provide adjustable wheelchairs and occupational therapy expertise for children in developing countries, free of charge.
Since then, more than 60,000 custom-built wheelchairs have been gifted to children in over 80 countries.
With over 250 retiree workshop volunteers, Wheelchairs For Kids is one of Western Australia’s largest (and with an average age of 74, one of Australia’s oldest) volunteer-led charities. A further 550 people from aged care and community groups sew covers for wheelchair soft supports, and crochet rugs and soft toys.
Olly also spearheaded the development of an innovative, low-cost wheelchair design to World Health Organization standards that grows as the children do – a world first. Wheelchairs For Kids is just one way that Olly has improved the lives of others.
For 26 continuous years, 83-year-old Olly’s life-changing community service has ignited a ripple effect of kindness and generosity.
The 2025 Young Australian of the Year for Western Australia is Jack Anderson, co-founder of Elucidate Education.
(Note: Jack was unable to attend the awards event and is currently at Harvard University)
At the age of 24, the extent of Jack Anderson’s achievements in the education space and beyond are impressive. He is a keynote speaker, documentary maker, author and a Harvard University Teaching Fellow and scholarship recipient, through which he is pursuing a Master of Education.
Jack founded ThrivEd when he was only 18. The student-run charity produced educational materials and donated them to disadvantaged schools. ThrivEd later merged with another charity to become Elucidate Education, encompassing some 70 volunteers and expanding its reach to tens of thousands of students in Australia and globally.
Jack has led the publication of many textbooks for senior study and coordinates regular trips to remote areas of Western Australia, donating educational materials to the most socio-economically disadvantaged, rural and Indigenous students, empowering them for success.
Through Elucidate Education and a range of other philanthropic initiatives, Jack passionately pursues greater equity and educational access in Australia and beyond.
Oral medicine specialist, Dr Jacinta Vu, is the 2025 Local Hero for Western Australia.
Dr Jacinta Vu uses her considerable specialist skill in dentistry and oral health to generously give back to others.
In 2018, she was president of the Women in Dentistry Society, an organisation providing support for female dental practitioners in Western Australia. The society created Healing Smiles to assist women escaping domestic violence with their oral and dental health. It provides trauma-informed care that recognises the importance of good dental health in restoring dignity, self-esteem and confidence as victims rebuild their lives.
In 2020, Jacinta became the clinical director of the female-operated organisation, driving the substantial growth of Healing Smiles’ outreach. Referrals are received from caseworkers and partner organisations to identify eligible clients. Clinicians then triage, plan and complete treatment for patients, pro bono.
With a dedicated clinic planned for Perth and regional dentists on board, Healing Smiles continues to expand its reach, driven by 44-year-old Jacinta’s empathy and desire to help others.
National Australia Day Council CEO Mark Fraser AO CVO congratulated the Western Australia recipients.
“The award recipients for Western Australia are making a difference on the world stage and we look forward to welcoming them to Canberra,” said Mark.
“Dianne and Ian are bringing about global change for health, farmers and the planet; Olly has given the freedom of movement to children around the globe; Jack is bringing education to young people in need here and overseas; and Jacinta is giving women better health and brighter futures through their smiles.”
For more information on the Australian of the Year Awards, visit australianoftheyear.org.au.
ENDS.
MEDIA CONTACT: Nicole Browne on 0414 673 762 / nicole@mediaopps.com.au
PHOTOS: From the awards announcement event can be downloaded as available after approx. 9:30pm Perth time from this link (credit NADC/Salty Dingo): WA Media Distribution photos - High res
**NOTE**
The Australian of the Year Awards program is run by the National Australia Day Council.
It includes state and territory awards, including the Australian of the Year Awards for Western Australia.
The Australian of the Year Awards for Western Australia are NOT connected with an awards program known as the Western Australian of the Year, run by the Celebrate WA organisation.