Four Alice Springs community champions nominated for Australian of the Year
More than 100 people around Australia have been nominated for the 2024 Australian of the Year Award. Of those, four of them are pillars making a difference in the Alice Springs community.
News
Don't miss out on the headlines from News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Four people from Alice Springs have been nominated for the 2024 Australian of the Year awards.
They are among 133 nominees across the country being recognised for their contribution to their community.
The four Alice Springs residents have made their mark on Central Australia through a variety of different initiatives – from substance abuse support to multicultural dance groups.
“The nominees for the Northern Territory awards are passionate contributors to community,” National Australia Day Council chief executive Mark Fraser said.
“They are all great Territorians doing extraordinary things.”
Blair McFarland, 66
Blair McFarland has lived in Central Australia for more than two decades and in that time has spent years trying to better understand the reality Indigenous youth face.
In 2002 he set up a youth link-up service to help combat petrol-sniffing and implement the Low Aromatic Fuel Act.
This led to a 95 per cent reduction of volatile substance misuse.
Mr McFarland continues to advocate for youth issues through his participation in politics, local radio and community service.
Leela Kruger, 30
Leela Kruger’s job as an engagement officer at Gillen Primary School has put her face-to-face with children’s learning barriers.
She is often the link between school and families and has helped countless children become happy students.
Her approach has helped improve dropping numbers in school attendance.
Ms Kruger believes young Aboriginal people deserve quality education and wants everyone to embrace the opportunity to learn.
Jordon Humphreys, 18
As a young person living with a disability, Jordan Humphreys was bullied.
He now seeks to improve the life of others, making sure all youth and their concerns are heard.
In his last year of school at St Philip’s College in Alice Springs, Mr Humphreys joined the NT Youth Round Table and took up a youth advisory role with Alice Springs Town Council.
His goal is to provide more opportunities for youth in his community and is optimistic about change.
Leony Bowey, 69
Nominated for Senior Australian of the Year, Leony Bowey is being recognised for her work as a long-time volunteer in the multicultural community in Alice Springs.
She moved to Alice Springs from the Philippines in 1984 and has since had a soft spot for helping other female migrants feel less isolated and looking after children missing their extended families.
Ms Bowey has helped start a multicultural playgroup, a dance and craft group and continues to commit her time to the Migrant Resource Centre.
She is warmly described in the community as having a “heart of gold”.
Here are the 16 nominees from the Northern Territory.
Australian of the Year for the Northern Territory:
Professor Alan Andersen - Ecologist and science communicator (Darwin)
Sammy Butcher - Musician, composer, teacher and Elder (Papunya)
Benjamin Graetz - LGBTIQ+ advocate, leader and performing artist (Darwin)
Blair McFarland - Founder, Central Australian Youth Link-Up Service (Alice Springs)
2024 Senior Australian of the Year for the Northern Territory:
Leony Bowey - Founding member, Multicultural Community Services of Central Australia (Alice Springs)
Elizabeth Hart - Community fundraiser and volunteer (Katherine)
Associate Professor Elaine Ḻäwurrpa Maypilama - Researcher, educator & co-founder, Yalu Aboriginal Corporation (Elcho Island)
Yalmay Yunupingu - Teacher, linguist and community leader (Yirrkala)
2024 Young Australian of the Year for the Northern Territory:
Jordon Humphreys - Youth, disability, mental health and anti-bullying advocate (Alice Springs)
Amy James - Singer, songwriter and disability advocate (Tennant Creek)
Leela Kruger - Engagement officer, Gillen Primary School (Alice Springs)
Peter Susanto - Medical student and community volunteer (Rapid Creek, Darwin)
2024 Local Hero for the Northern Territory:
Deborah Jones - Founder, Clubhouse Territory (Darwin)
Witiyana Marika - Musician and filmmaker (Yirrkala)
Ben Poveda-Alfonso - Co-founder, Kindness Shake (Darwin)
Dr Mark de Souza - Chair, Sustainable Healthcare Committee (Top End Region) (Darwin)
‘Urgent’ calls to review Native Title
Coalition senators are expected to renew their calls to grill Aboriginal Corporations and Land Councils in the Federal parliament this week.
Named: Every winner from Hockey NT’s night of nights
Three new Hall of Fame inductees and 28 life members were among the award recipients at Hockey NT’s night of nights. See the full list of winners here.