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2027 AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR AWARDS NOMINEES FOR THE NORTHERN TERRITORY ANNOUNCED
2027 AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR AWARDS: NORTHERN TERRITORY NOMINEES ANNOUNCED
People making an impact across youth mentorship, education, First Nations culture and leadership, volunteering, community advocacy and healthcare are among the Northern Territory nominees announced today for the 2027 Australian of the Year Awards.
Seventeen people from the territory have been named as nominees for the 2027 Australian of the Year Awards for the Northern Territory, with nominees recognised in each of the Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year and Local Hero categories.
Among this year’s nominees are a man transforming young lives through boxing, volunteers on the frontline of emergencies, a doctor who helped establish the international standard for health records, an educator who transformed tertiary education for women in the Territory, an academic preserving Indigenous languages and knowledge, and two flying chaplains.
The nominees are:
2027 Australian of the Year for Northern Territory
Byron Davis - First Nations employment advocate (Palmerston)
Helen Lamech - Diabetes educator (Desert Springs)
Dr Joel Liddle - Indigenous language waymaker (East Side)
Jason Lord - Founder, Arrernte Community Boxing Academy (Alice Springs)
2027 Senior Australian of the Year for Northern Territory
Joyce Chin - Pioneering female educator (Darwin)
Charles Gunabarra OAM - Aboriginal health leader (Maningrida)
Dr Samuel Heard OAM - Health record innovator (Darwin)
Patricia King - Volunteer chaplain (Casuarina)
2027 Young Australian of the Year for Northern Territory
Naomi Destacamento - Youth health and wellbeing advocate (Alice Springs)
Jules Gabor - Youth advocate (Darwin)
Taitt Green - Volunteer first responder (Katherine)
Elise Thornthwaite - Early childhood educator (Milikapiti)
2027 Australia’s Local Hero for Northern Territory
Jason Bonson - First Nations men’s health leader (Wagaman)
Majors Niall and Michelle Gibson - Rural and remote chaplains (Katherine)
Ben Hockey - Community leader (East Side)
Trent de With - Community leader (Katherine/East Side)
The Northern Territory nominees are among 130 people being recognised across all states and territories in the 2027 Australian of the Year Awards.
National Australia Day Council CEO Carrie Leeson said the nominees for the Northern Territory shared a commitment to people and community.
"Among the Northern Territory nominees there is a common thread of caring for others. Whether they are supporting people directly, or using their skills and knowledge, these inspiring nominees are creating real change in their communities," said Ms Leeson.
The 2027 Northern Territory award recipients will be announced on Monday 9 November in Darwin. The ceremony will also be available to watch via livestream at australianoftheyear.org.au
The Northern Territory award recipients will then join recipients from the other states and territories as finalists for the national Australian of the Year Awards, announced in Canberra on 25 January 2027.
ENDS
Detailed nominee biographies follow and are also available at australianoftheyear.org.au.
Photos for download: Photos provided by the nominees for editorial use can be downloaded from here: NT Nominee Photos - supplied by nominees (please use photo credits where noted on file names)
Media contact: Nicole Browne, media opps 0414 673 762 nicole@mediaopps.com.au