2026 AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR AWARDS NOMINEES FOR NORTHERN TERRITORY ANNOUNCED
Nominees for the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards for the Northern Territory include Indigenous community leaders, a dementia nurse, volunteer first responders, a remote housing advocate and a police officer.
The nominees are:
2026 Australian of the Year for the Northern Territory
Adam Drake - Founder, Balanced Choice Program (Darwin)
Tanya Egerton - Founder, Remote OpShop Project (Darwin)
Dr Felix Ho ASM - Volunteer paramedic and youth program builder (Darwin)
Jonah Ryan - Indigenous land management leader and mentor (Maningrida)
2026 Senior Australian of the Year for the Northern Territory
Rosemary Copeland - Remote ophthalmology nurse (Darwin)
Jenny Duggan OAM - Environmental warrior (Katherine)
Malcolm Hales - Women’s football coach and advocate (Barunga Community)
2026 Young Australian of the Year for the Northern Territory
Conor Bowden - Indigenous community leader (Darwin)
Jaiden Dickenson - Indigenous community leader (Tennant Creek)
Constable Jermaine Ostrofski - Police officer and community advocate (Alice Springs)
Lila Tonkin - Dementia nurse and advocate (Darwin)
2026 Local Hero for the Northern Territory
Ron Green BM ESM - Emergency services and St John Ambulance volunteer (Katherine)
Nicole Hayes - Central Australian community advocate (Alice Springs)
Norman Frank Jupurrurla - Remote housing advocate (Tennant Creek/Jurnkurrakur)
Ramnik Walia - Senior and disability rights advocate (Darwin)
The Northern Territory nominees are among 134 people being recognised across all states and territories.
The Northern Territory award recipients will be announced on Monday 3 November 2025 in a ceremony at Mindil Beach Casino Resort, which will also be available to watch online at australianoftheyear.org.au.
They will then join other state and territory recipients as finalists for the national awards announcement on 25 January 2026 in Canberra.
National Australia Day Council CEO Mark Fraser AO CVO said the Northern Territory nominees represented the extraordinary ways in which individuals make a real difference in our society.
“The nominees for the Northern Territory awards are all contributing to help people and communities,” said Mark.
“Whether through improving life in remote communities, leading by example for young people or advocating for social change, the nominees are proud Territorians making a real impact.”
ENDS.
Nominee bios on the following pages and can also be viewed from australianoftheyear.org.au.
Nominees have supplied photos which can be downloaded from this link: NT NOMINEE PHOTOS (supplied)
MEDIA CONTACT: Nicole Browne 0414 673 762 or nicole@mediaopps.com.au