An inspirational ultramarathon athlete who has run thousands of kilometres and raised millions of dollars for charity is in the running for Young Australian of the Year.
Nedd Brockmann, who burst into the national consciousness by running the staggering 3952km from Perth to Sydney in 2022 to raise money for homelessness, is NSW's nominee for the annual award.
The 26-year-old raised more than $2.6 million for that mammoth run, continued with his charity efforts by starting Nedd's Uncomfortable Challenges, supporting other Australians to take on their own tasks to support homelessness.
That program has raised more than $8 million, with Mr Brockmann, a former tradie, also running 1000 miles (1600km) in 12 days at Sydney's Olympic Park in 2024.
NSW's nominee for the main gong - Australian of the Year - is also no stranger to putting others before herself.
Humanitarian charity worker Alison Thompson was honoured for her lifetime of work providing relief in disaster and war zones.
Dr Thompson's life of volunteering began on September 11, 2001, when she rollerbladed into ground zero in New York with a backpack full of medical supplies to give first aid to survivors.
She then founded Third Wave Volunteers, an organisation that brings together volunteers to provide relief in disaster areas including war zones.
Dr Thompson had made nine aid trips to Ukraine by 2022, and has also provided assistance in Syria, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka.
The 61-year-old's work has deployed more than 30,000 volunteers to disaster zones and provided humanitarian assistance and medical aid to more than 18 million people.
Dementia treatment pioneer Henry Brodaty earned the nod as NSW's Senior Australian of the Year.
Professor Brodaty co-founded the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing in 2012, which has driven significant research breakthroughs regarding dementia risk and prevention.
Theresa Mitchell won Local Hero for NSW.
Ms Mitchell opened Agape Outreach in 2009 and now it serves 1500 hot meals each week to homeless people.
She has also fostered 37 children.
National Australia Day Council CEO Mark Fraser paid tribute to the winners.
"Alison not only shows us we can all help others, she enables people to help where it is needed most ... Nedd decided to help people in need and created a movement of care," he said.
