The Australian of the Year Awards recognise any Australians across four categories: Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year (over 65 years of age), Young Australian of the Year, and Australia's Local Hero.
The Awards operate at two levels - State/Territory and national. State and Territory selection committees select four nominees for each Award category, with one of these nominees being announced as the State/Territory Award recipient.
Award recipients are announced on the 26th January each year.
The awards were established in 1960.
Source: https://www.australianoftheyear.org.au
'The Australian of the Year Awards were founded in 1960, when Sir MacFarlane Burnet OM AK KBE recieved the inaugural award. Australia Day Committees in each state and territory decided the recipient of the Award, although until 1979 the Victorian Australia Day Committee usually won the agreement of the other States with its choice of Australian of the Year. [...] The Young Australian of the Year Award was introduced in 1979, Senior Australian in 1999, and the Local Hero Award in 2003.'
(Source: Australian of the Year Awards website, http://www.australianoftheyear.gov.au/about01.asp)
'Imagine what it would be like to win a Golden Slam and Olympic gold, like the amazing Dylan Alcott!
'How would it feel to be a Paralympian and named Australian of the Year?
'Find out what it takes to get so good - the training, the big breaks and the challenges along the way. Get inspired to find your own passion and BE THE BEST YOU CAN BE!
'Every Amazing Sporting Hero has a story. Featuring easy-read text and fun illustrations, this series is suitable for readers who are happier out of the classroom than in it! Collect the whole series: Amazing Ash Barty, Amazing Sam Kerr, Amazing Pat Cummins.' (Publication summary)