A DIVERSITY advocating doctor, an inspirational basketballer, a hospital building obstetrician and the founder of Zambrero are among the finalists in the 2022 ACT Australian of the Year Awards.

Sixteen finalists were announced today (October 28) across four categories including ACT Australian of the Year, ACT Senior Australian of the Year, ACT Young Australian of the Year and ACT Local Hero.

The award finalists are:

ACT Australian of the Year

• Dr Marrwah Ahmadzai – Doctor and diversity advocate
• Patrick Mills – Basketball player and Indigenous rights advocate
• Dr David O’Rourke OAM – Obstetrician and co-founder of Mother Ignacia Hospital
• Dr – Doctor and founder of Zambrero

ACT Young Australian of the Year

• Matthew Breen – Founder of Running for Resilience (Canberra)
• Asha Clementi – Co-founder of The Girls Leadership Network (Canberra)
• Sean Dondas – Advocate and Youth Leader, CanTeen (Canberra)
• Jahin Tanvir – Policy adviser and multicultural youth advocate (Harrison)

ACT Senior Australian of the Year

• Gregory Aldridge – CEO of EveryMan Australia (Canberra)
• Anne Buttsworth PSM – Chair of the Early Morning Centre (Reid)
• Valmai Dempsey – Volunteer at St John Ambulance (Canberra)
• Julie Tongs OAM – CEO of Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health and Community Services (Narrabundah)

ACT Local Hero

• Kate Crowhurst – Financial literacy educator (Canberra)
• Luke Ferguson – Youth support worker at The Woden School (Canberra)
• Kelli-Ann (Kelli) Jackson – Group Leader of Women’s Adventure ACT (Canberra)
• Rob Regent – Founder and Head Coach at Everyday Champions (Canberra)

The four award recipients from the ACT will be announced in a ceremony on Friday November 12 at the National Gallery of Australia which will also be available to watch online via livestream.

They will then join the other state and territory recipients as national finalists for the national awards announcement on January 25 next year.

National Australia Day Council CEO Karlie Brand congratulated the ACT nominees for their achievements.

“The ACT nominees share a commitment to helping and respecting others,” said Ms Brand.

“Even in pursuing their own careers and pathways, they are supporting or showing the way for others.

“It’s people such as our ACT nominees who make our world a better place.”

Full nominee bios can be viewed here.