Inspiring cultural leader named NT's Australian of the Year for 2025

In his Numbulwar community, Grant has inspired young people to perform their traditional music and dance. He led Numbulwar's renowned Red Flag Dancers for decades and regularly performs at the Garma Festival.

"Grant's leadership is ensuring survival of culture and confident futures for people," National Australia Day Council CEO Mark Fraser said.

The NT's recipients in the four Australian of the Year Award categories were announced at a ceremony in Darwin on November 4.

They are:

The Northern Territory award recipients will join those from the other states and territories for the national awards to be presented in Canberra on the eve of Australia Day in January 2025.

"The award recipients for the Northern Territory are to be congratulated on their outstanding achievements and contributions and we look forward to welcoming them to Canberra in January," Mr Fraser said.

"Michael is a proud example of the value seniors bring to our society, Nilesh is drawing on his own experience to inspire and support others and Mignon's dedication is protecting the unique wildlife that makes the Territory and Australia so special."

ACM, the publisher of this masthead, is official media partner of the 2025 Australian of the Year Awards.

The following profiles and pictures of the NT award recipients have been supplied by the National Australia Day Council, organisers of the Australian of the Year Awards.

Grant Ngulmiya Nundhirribala - Musician, role model and cultural leader

Internationally recognised, 49-year-old Grant Ngulmiya Nundhirribala is a musician and cultural leader in Numbulwar community, Arnhem Land.

Grant has inspired Numbulwar's next generation to excel at performing their traditional music and dance. He's shown how Numbulwar people can make an income from expressing their internationally esteemed culture, in a place where employment is scarce.

Bridging cultural differences, Grant has been an ambassador for his music, language and culture across the world. He collaborated with the Budapest Art Orchestra to release an award-winning album and worked in Japan with North Indian classical artists. He's travelled to Ubud, Bali, to collaborate with a Balinese Gamelan and recorded an album with a Spanish guitarist in Barcelona.

Grant was the driving force behind the three-day Numburindi Festival in Numbulwar. He regularly performs at Garma Festival and took 45 Numbulwar artists to the Barunga Festival two years in a row. And for decades, he's led the renowned Red Flag Dancers.

Michael Foley OAM - Community volunteer and founder, Seniors Of Excellence NT

For more than 40 years, Michael Foley OAM has been contributing to the recognition of senior citizens in our communities and their mental wellbeing.

Michael saw a need for seniors to be acknowledged for the hours of volunteer work they do every day. In 2014, he founded Seniors Of Excellence NT, inspiring senior citizens to share their valuable expertise and see the value of achievement that comes through community service. He went on to establish the Seniors Of Excellence NT Award to recognise their selfless work, with 183 seniors receiving the award since 2014.

Michael has raised thousands of dollars and volunteered countless hours for community organisations such as Cancer Care NT, Variety and Royal Darwin Hospital Palliative Care Hospice. He's also served on the board of directors of the National Heart Foundation Australia (Northern Territory).

At 84 years of age, Michael continues to ensure the contributions of seniors are not forgotten.

Nilesh Dilushan - Community service leader

Nilesh (Nil) Dilushan inspires and unites young people from diverse backgrounds to serve their community. As co-founder of two not-for-profit organisations, the 28-year-old fosters youth-driven initiatives for social change.

Nil's commitment to community service has led him to spearhead two successful community initiatives: The Kindness Shake and Rotaract Young Professionals NT. These organisations focus on upskilling young people, addressing literacy gaps and creating employment pathways, making a positive impact on their local communities.

Their programs, such as FINSMART and Jumpstart, are making a difference by closing service gaps and providing young people with essential peer-to-peer support in financial literacy and substance abuse awareness.

In 2023, Nil won Northern Territory Volunteer of the Year and the Chief Minister's Youth Volunteer of the Year. From an immigrant grappling with cultural displacement and language barriers to a community leader inspiring a new generation, his journey embodies the Territory's multicultural spirit.

Mignon McHendrie - Wildlife carer and advocate

For over 30 years, Mignon McHendrie has brought compassion and education to her community, rescuing and caring for the Northern Territory's unique wildlife.

As head of the community organisation, Wildcare Incorporated, Mignon is at the helm of a team of volunteers who rescue wildlife. She also donates her time to working with remote communities, including organising for animals to be flown to Darwin for specialised care.

As a volunteer, the wildlife warrior shoulders a large responsibility: applying for government grants, managing finances, recruiting and coordinating volunteers for rescues and facilitating board meetings. Organising fundraising events and managing public relations is also part of her considerable remit.

Mignon is expanding the work of Wildcare Incorporated by training the community on how to care for orphaned baby animals and licenses the taking of animals with carers into local schools. A true advocate for Australia's treasured wildlife, 57-year-old Mignon's kindness and compassion are contagious.