An emergency doctor who helped save the life of a tourist who became stuck in a wilderness river has been crowned Tasmania's Australian of the Year.
Jo Kippax was part of a specialist team who freed Lithuanian man Valdas Bieliauskas during a 24-hour ordeal in a freezing Franklin River in November 2024.
The team was forced to amputate Mr Bieliauskas's leg after attempts to free him proved fruitless.
He spent four days in a coma and several months in hospital before returning home.
Dr Kippax was named Australia of Year for Tasmania for 2026 at a ceremony in Hobart on Tuesday night for his professionalism, courage and calmness under pressure.
He performed the amputation with his bare hands before Mr Bieliauskas was winched to safety by helicopter.
"I survived. I endured. That's the greatest joy," Mr Bieliauskas told the ABC in June.
"As for the leg, that's not a problem. The main thing is being alive and life is a beautiful thing."
Mr Bieliauskas, an experienced adventurer, was part of a group of 11 rafters undertaking a multi-day trip.
He was able to meet Dr Kippax and other rescuers in hospital during his recovery.
Lithuania's ambassador to Australia Darius Degutis expressed his government's "deepest gratitude" in a letter.
"The professionalism, dedication and courage demonstrated during this extraordinary rescue effort are truly beyond measure," he said.
Dr Kippax, who will be in the running to become the Australian of the Year in January, has also been recognised with Lithuania's Life Saving Cross for his bravery.
Tasmania's senior Australian of the Year was won by 65-year-old school nutrition pioneer Julie Dunbabin who is involved in a program that feeds 6656 students every week.
The Young Australian of the Year for Tasmania was life skills educator Alyssia Kennedy.
She founded the Life After School program, a package to help bridge the gap between school education and life knowledge.
Social entrepreneur Emily Briffa was Tasmania's Local Hero for setting up community cafe Hamlet, which helps disadvantaged and marginalised people overcome employment barriers.
