Nedd Brockmann in running for Young Aussie of the Year
An inspirational ultramarathoner who has run thousands of kilometers and raised millions of dollars for charity is in the running for Young Australian of the Year.
Nedd Brockmann, who burst into national consciousness by running the staggering distance of 3952 kilometers from Perth to Sydney in 2022 to raise money for the homeless, has been named NSW’s nominee for the annual awards.
The 26-year-old raised more than $2.6 million for the mammoth run, continuing his philanthropic efforts by launching Nedd’s Uncomfortable Challenges and supporting other Australians to take on their own missions to support homelessness.
That program has raised more than $8 million as Mr. Brockmann, a former craftsman, runs 1,000 miles (1,600 km) in 12 days at Sydney Olympic Park in 2024.
NSW’s main gong candidate – Australian of the Year – is no stranger to putting others before himself.
Humanitarian aid worker Alison Thompson has been honored for her lifetime of work providing relief in disaster and war zones.
Dr Thompson’s volunteer life began on September 11, 2001, when he skated to ground zero in New York with a backpack full of medical supplies to provide first aid to survivors.
He later founded Third Wave Volunteers, an organization that brings together volunteers to provide aid in disaster areas, including war zones.
Dr Thompson has undertaken nine aid trips to Ukraine through 2022 and has also provided aid to Syria, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka.
The 61-year-old artist’s work has enabled the deployment of more than 30,000 volunteers to disaster areas and provided humanitarian and medical aid to more than 18 million people.
Dementia treatment pioneer Henry Brodaty has won the title of NSW Senior Australian of the Year.
In 2012, Professor Brodaty co-founded the Center for Healthy Brain Aging, which has pioneered major research breakthroughs into dementia risk and prevention.
Theresa Mitchell won the Local Hero award for NSW.
Ms Mitchell opened Agape Outreach in 2009 and now serves 1,500 hot meals to the homeless each week.
She also babysat 37 children.
National Australia Day Council CEO Mark Fraser paid tribute to the winners.
“Alison not only shows us that we can all help others, but she also empowers people to help where it is needed most…Nedd decided to help people in need and created a caring movement,” he said.
