2025 NSW Australians of the Year Announced
The 2025 Australians of the Year for NSW were announced at a ceremony at Sydney’s Museum of Contemporary Art on Wednesday night, November 13.
They are:
2025 Australian of the Year for NSW - Kath Koschel (Cronulla)
2025 Senior Australian of the Year for NSW - Dr Karl Kruszelnicki AM (Maroubra)
2025 Young Australian of the Year for NSW - Maddison O’Gradey (Bateau Bay)
2025 Local Hero for NSW - Martha Jabour OAM (Carlingford)
The NSW recipients will join those from the other states and territories for the national awards to be announced on 25 January 2025.
The 2025 Australian of the Year for NSW is Kath Koschel, founder of Kindness Factory.
A former professional cricketer and Ironman competitor, 38-year-old Kath Koschel has faced unimaginable hurdles. In her twenties, she broke her back and was told she may never walk again. Shortly afterwards, she lost her partner to suicide. Then, piecing her life back together, she was hit by a 4WD and learned to walk again a second time.
Kath’s resilience helped her to not only overcome these challenges, but to see the good in the world.
In 2015, Kath founded Kindness Factory. The not-for-profit, now based across three countries, has inspired over seven and-a-half million acts of kindness. Its curriculum teaches the power of kindness to children at more than 3,500 schools across Australia and had been downloaded over 60,000 times globally.
Kath’s incredible story of courage and hope in adversity has become a global kindness movement, touching people from all walks of life. She consults to organisations globally, teaching the same principles of kindness.
Science enthusiast and educator, Dr Karl Kruszelnicki AM, is the 2025 Senior Australian of the Year for NSW.
Dr Karl Kruszelnicki AM brings science to life with wit and charm. In 1981, he walked into ABC Radio station Triple J and offered to talk about the Space Shuttle launch. Great Moments in Science ran while Karl pursued his medical career.
Karl may have continued in paediatric medicine had it not been for the death of a baby from whooping cough. At the time, disinformation was circulating that vaccines didn’t work. Appalled by the harm caused, Karl decided to quit medicine and make science communication his full-time career.
Karl presented on Quantum, co-hosted Sleek Geeks and appears regularly on radio and TV. His national weekly, one-hour science talkback show on Triple J, Science with Dr Karl, attracts more than 750,000 listeners, while the podcast downloads are over six million.
He’s authored 48 popular science books and even built a machine to pick up electrical signals from the human retina for Fred Hollows. With infectious enthusiasm, 76-year-old Karl continues his mission to spread the good news about science and its benefits.
The 2025 Young Australian of the Year for NSW is mental health advocate and researcher, Maddison O’Gradey-Lee
Maddison O’Gradey-Lee aims to improve the measurement of mental ill-health for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people through her PhD research.
In 2020, Maddison co-founded the Orygen Global Youth Mental Health Fellowship, a six-month program providing youth advocates with support, mentorship and education modules to increase the impact of their advocacy projects in their communities and globally.
Together with Orygen Global, Maddison facilitated one of the largest global youth consultations on mental health. She heard advocates felt unsupported and lacked training. Within four years, the Orygen Global youth fellowship has trained 76 youth advocates in mental health education, lived experience advocacy and peer support across 42 countries.
Over 21,000 young people have been reached through the direct and indirect impact of the program. At 27, Maddison has created a global community that’s combating taboos around mental health and was the first person from Oceania to win the Dalai Lama Peace Fellowship.
Martha Jabour OAM, co-founder of the Homicide Victims Support Group, is the 2025 Local Hero for NSW.
Martha Jabour OAM helped establish the Homicide Victims Support Group in 1993 to care for families and friends of homicide victims throughout New South Wales. It provides life-changing counselling, support and referrals to more than 4,200 members.
Using her experience across grief, trauma, policy development, strategic planning and crisis management, in 2013, Martha developed a vision for a world-first trauma recovery facility for those impacted by homicide. She inspired politicians, public servants, community organisations and others to raise funds, while land for the facility was donated by Blacktown City Council and the Western Sydney Parklands Trust. Grace’s Place opened in 2023.
In April 2024, Grace’s Place provided care for the overseas families of the victims of a Sydney shopping centre attack, including accommodation, counselling and funeral assistance.
At 61, Martha is also a community member representative on the NSW State Parole Authority, representing the families of homicide victims once an inmate becomes eligible for parole.
National Australia Day Council CEO Mark Fraser AO CVO congratulated the recipients for NSW.
“The NSW award recipients are an extraordinary group of individuals and we look forward to welcoming them to Canberra,” said Mark.
“Kath has demonstrated the power of kindness through her own lived experience and now empowers others; Dr Karl has long been educating us on the wonders of science and making it accessible to all generations; Maddison’s work in mental health advocacy is reaching people around the world; and Martha has founded a world-first trauma recovery service offering support during times of immense grief.”
The State Government also congratulated Kath Koschel, the 2025 NSW Australian of the Year, and NSW’s three other recipients, Dr Karl Kruszelnicki AM, Maddison O’Gradey-Lee and Martha Jabour OAM.
The government also paid tribute to all the nominees, stating they have made remarkable and diverse contributions to our state.
'These inspirational members of our NSW community have overcome unimaginable challenges, demonstrated resilience, and have made a positive difference to our state and nation.'
NSW Premier Chris Minns said:
“To all NSW finalists and recipients: thank you for your extraordinary contribution to our state and nation.
“While the ultimate reward for these exceptional Australians isn’t any formal honour or award, this recognition is completely deserved.
“These remarkable people have changed NSW and the nation for the better.
“To our NSW Australian of the Year, Kath Koschel: NSW will be cheering you every step of the way between now and the national awards.
“Kath’s resilience is inspiring, while her campaign for kindness is a message of positivity we need in our world.
“These are people that help others, overcome challenges, aim for excellence, and represent the very best of what it means to be Australian.”
Nominees
Australian of the Year
Kath Koschel - winner
Jess Hill
Jess Hill is a journalist, author and speaker on gender-based violence. With more than one woman a week murdered by her current or former partner, Jess is fiercely advocating for a safer world for women and children. She’s presented at almost 400 events about coercive control and delivers education for magistrates, communities and frontline workers. Jess is also regularly consulted on law reform, and this year sat on the Rapid Review of Prevention Approaches panel.
Her book on domestic abuse, See What You Made Me Do, won the 2020 Stella Prize and was adapted into a docuseries for SBS. Following this came podcast series The Trap about coercive control, another docuseries on SBS on consent called Asking For It, and a quarterly essay on how #MeToo has changed Australia.
For over 10 years, Jess has been living with brain cancer. Yet despite this, she continues to work relentlessly towards ending gender-based violence.
Daniel Principe
Daniel Principe champions boys across Australia, challenging them to live courageous, respectful and empathetic lives. Daniel helps them find their purpose, clarify their values and get intentional about the kinds of men that they want to be. And he’s inviting others to join him on the path towards forming good men.
By partnering with schools and communities, Daniel has encouraged more than 70,000 young Australians to recognise and resist distorted attitudes towards bodies, relationships and sex. He invites his audiences to instead aspire to healthy relationships built on mutual respect and empathy.
As the face of the Australian Government’s 2024 ’Consent Can’t Wait’ campaign, Daniel plays a pivotal role in promoting consent education and combating harmful behaviours among young people. His leadership in this national initiative underscores his effectiveness in driving social change on a large scale.
Daniel exemplifies hope, compassion and a relentless dedication to strengthening the next generation.
Inspector Amy Scott VA
Inspector Amy Scott VA has dedicated 19 years to the NSW Police Force, where she has been recognised on numerous occasions for her courage and leadership.
On 13 April 2024, Inspector Scott displayed unparalleled bravery and dedication to service during a mass casualty event at a Sydney shopping centre. The day’s events involved a knife wielding offender attacking people within the centre, resulting in death and chaos.
Without hesitation or regard for her own safety, Inspector Scott responded with exceptional courage, not waiting for backup and choosing to face the threat head-on and alone, a decision that would define her heroism.
Inspector Scott located and advanced towards the offender, reflecting a dedication to protecting the public’s safety and putting service before self. Her actions saved countless lives and showcased her unwavering leadership in the face of extreme danger. Inspector Scott’s fearless and decisive actions are an inspiration to all Australians.
Senior Australian of the Year
Dr Karl Kruszelnicki AM - winner
Gwenda Darling
Gwenda Darling, a Palawa woman, was diagnosed in 2012 with younger onset dementia; at 59, it was a shocking and challenging discovery. She had already survived many traumatic experiences with an alcoholic father who struggled with PTSD following World War II, incest and domestic violence.
Gwenda has invested her life and career advocating for trauma-informed care for all age groups and people, including Aboriginal Australian children, LGBTI+ and other minority groups. Since her diagnosis, she remains a respected, influential voice for choice and control in aged care settings, and believes that medication, isolation or restraint should be a last resort.
Gwenda participates in dementia research and is actively involved with the Aged Care Council of Elders, Older Persons Advocacy Network and Dementia Australia. She advocates for the human rights and dignity of all older Australians.
The living embodiment of commitment, strength and resilience, Gwenda’s no-nonsense attitude has improved understanding, giving hope for countless older Australians.
Professor Michelle Haber AM
Professor Michelle Haber AM has dedicated her professional life to improving outcomes for children with cancer.
When Michelle began her research, children with the same cancer type were all treated the same way – because doctors had no way of knowing what was best for any given child.
For children with the commonest cancer, acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, the game changer came when Michelle and her team developed technology that could show who was at high risk of relapse and therefore needed more intensive treatment. This led to a doubling of survival in children in the high-risk group, from 35 per cent to 70 per cent.
Michelle then applied this personalised approach to other cancer types. Now, because of her work, Australia is the first country to offer precision medicine to every child with cancer – and it’s yielding remarkable results.
Today, Michelle is recognised as one of the leading scientists in the field globally.
Aunty Glendra Stubbs OAM
Aunty Glendra Stubbs OAM is a proud Wiradjuri woman who has lived in the Blue Mountains all her life. She has been the elder-in-residence at the University of Technology Sydney since 2020, and is a trained counsellor with over 40 years’ experience providing advice and practical assistance to survivors of trauma.
Glendra has worked with several state and national bodies, including as an Aboriginal engagement advisor for the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, and is the aunty-in-residence at knowmore, a legal service supporting victims of child sexual abuse.
In her personal and professional capacities, Glendra has learned a great deal about the range of issues involved in supporting strong, resilient individuals, families and communities. This has led to her membership on a range of boards and committees, including leading as CEO of Link-Up (NSW) Aboriginal Corporation, assisting those affected by past government policies.
Young Australian of the Year
Maddison O’Gradey-Lee - winner
Noor Azizah
Noor Azizah, a Rohingya refugee, has overcome immense challenges to become an outstanding human rights advocate and educator. At the age of eight, she and her family resettled in Sydney, having fled the genocide of Rohingya people in Myanmar’s Rakhine state.
Despite these hardships, Noor has emerged as a strong voice for Rohingya women who have experienced unimaginable atrocities, such as systematic rape, torture and the loss of loved ones. Their plight remains a constant motivation for her work.
Noor co-founded the Rohingya Maìyafuìnor Collaborative Network, a women-led Rohingya-led refugee-led organisation that focuses on addressing Rohingya human rights issues and sexual and gender-based violence through education and solidarity. Noor’s leadership within this organisation is a testament to her commitment to bringing about positive change for the Rohingya community, especially for the most vulnerable members of this population.
Noor’s life journey is a shining example of resilience, courage and unwavering determination.
Alex Noble
Alex Noble was a 16-year-old rugby star when an on-field injury broke his neck and severely damaged his spinal cord.
While Alex was in hospital, his brother Zac didn’t want to complete his final school exams. Alex’s first words after a four-day coma were: “Zac, if I fight … You fight”.
This inspired the online campaign, IFIGHTYOUFIGHT. It has over 50,000 followers and a website reaching 300,000 people.
Diagnosed with C4 quadriplegia, Alex was not expected to have any movement from the neck down. Defying the odds, he has gone from learning to breathe again to standing up with a 20kg weighted vest.
At twenty-two, he is a bestselling author, motivational speaker and fundraiser for spinal cord injury research and rehabilitation. He’s also studying full-time at university, working in a law firm and runs his own boat rental company. Alex inspires others to find happiness and reach their true potential.
Molly Croft & Amy Parmenter
At the age of 12, Molly Croft was in the hospital battling sarcoma cancer when she met elite netballer Amy Parmenter. During her off-season in 2017, Amy started The Tie Dye Project, and soon after, Molly joined in, bringing with her the support of the Dubbo community.
The Tie Dye Project makes and sells tie-dye t-shirts to raise funds for sarcoma cancer research. So far, the project has tie-dyed 16,930 items and raised over $1 million.
For Amy, the fight against cancer is personal, having lost her mum to the disease when she was just fifteen. Together, Molly and Amy are working tirelessly to spread awareness about sarcoma and inspire Australians to invest in research and support those affected by this devastating illness.
Their relentless dedication has influenced the medical community to prioritise sarcoma research, making a profound impact on the lives of children and families nationwide.
Local Hero
Martha Jabour OAM - winner
Renuka Fernando and Ben Stammer
Renuka Fernando and Ben Stammer were friends in a Sydney running group. As part of their ‘Run for Good Project’, they helped five women from a domestic violence shelter set up homes in social housing. Renuka and Ben collected good quality furniture and put the call out for donations.
The experience opened their eyes to the critical needs of vulnerable people when they move into safe housing. So, in 2020, the charity ReLove was born.
Renuka and Ben have since furnished homes for more than 2,000 families, providing over $20 million worth of furniture.
ReLove has become a leading support service for people in crisis who need to set up a home from scratch. Renuka and Ben provide good quality rescued furniture and household items at no cost to 25 families each week. They have made exceptional contributions to the lives of at-risk Australians through generous compassion and practical support.
Adam DeMamiel
Adam DeMamiel taught students with behavioural issues for more than 10 years before he saw an opportunity in 2017: to start Boys to the Bush.
For boys experiencing trauma and facing bleak prospects, Boys to the Bush provides wholistic early intervention support. For these boys, 88 per cent don’t live with an adult male, 85 per cent are living away from home and 57 per cent are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.
The support Adam provides to many of these young men can make the difference between life and death. Boys to the Bush leans in to offer mentoring and practical support to boys who have nobody else in their corner. The program has impacted over 8,000 lives through 1:1 MENtoring programs, camps, school programs and community engagement.
Adam has now created a scalable model that is changing the lives of our most vulnerable; the ripple effect enables communities to become far more connected.
Claude Robinson
Claude Robinson cares for the men that no one else cares for. As manager of The Rainbow Lodge, Claude helps men to transition back into the community following a period of incarceration.
Every year, almost 20,000 people leave prison in New South Wales, but less than three per cent of them get a bed in an accommodation program. The residents of Rainbow Lodge are among the lucky few.
With a focus on helping men heal from trauma, Claude’s ‘never give up’ attitude helps men to survive and thrive after incarceration, some who have spent decades in prison. His care and dedication help prevent men from becoming homeless and reoffending.
By taking in the men no one else will, Claude cares for those who’ve fallen through the cracks of society. He’s determined to change people’s lives for the better and has been doing so for years with care, love and kindness.
For more information on the Australian of the Year Awards, visit: australianoftheyear.org.au
