Local Hero award

The department sponsors the Local Hero Award, as part of the Australian of the Year Awards.

The Local Hero Award recognises the enormous contribution of so many Australian citizens who selflessly work to make their local community a better place.

A Local Hero from each state and territory is announced late in the year.

On Australia Day eve, one of the eight state and territory Local Heroes is announced as Australia's Local Hero.

We celebrate Australia’s Local Hero alongside the Australian of the Year, the Young Australian of the Year and the Senior Australian of the Year as they inspire us with their dedication, determination and courage.
See: Australian of the Year Awards

Australia's Local Hero 2010

Ronni Kahn, from New South Wales, is the founder of OzHarvest – a service that collects and delivers surplus food to charities.

She originally ran an events business and was concerned by the amount of left over food that was thrown out. She began driving it to a hostel rather than let it go to waste. But she knew there was much more that could be done, and in 2004, OzHarvest was born.

Six years later OzHarvest has over 600 food donors and delivers more than 110 000 meals each month to 163 charities in Sydney, Canberra and Wollongong.

Ronni has plans to go national this year. Due to the perseverance of Ronni and others, the law has been changed in NSW, ACT, QLD, SA (and soon will be in WA) to ensure that food donors are safe from liability. OzHarvest has had a profound impact on the environment by saving thousands of tonnes of food from landfill, and on clients of charities who are able to eat quality, nutritious food.

More about Ronni's inspiring story is on the State and Territory Local Heroes page.

State and Territory Local Heroes

Read about your state or territory's Local Hero.

How to Nominate a Local Hero

Do you know a Local Hero?

Perhaps you have a friend, family member, community leader or colleague who you believe actively participates in and strengthens your local community.

Nominate them now for Australia's Local Hero.

Nominations close in August with the announcement of state and territory award recipients made towards the end of the year.

The national Australian of the Year Awards, including Australia's Local Hero, are announced on Australia Day Eve.

You can nominate your Local Hero on the Australian of the Year Awards website.
See: Australian of the Year Awards