Natasha Griggs (Solomon, Country Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

The Northern Territory Pride of Australia Medal for 2015 finalists were announced yesterday. The finalists include 25 strong and selfless people in the community, across 10 categories. These awards have been running for 11 years across the country. This year's 'people's choice' award has been introduced, giving the community their say on their local hero. As I said, 25 finalists were announced yesterday in the NT News. The winner of the people's choice awards—the new award announced—will receive $5,000. To have your say on who your local hero is, go to ntnews.com.au/prideofaustralia and make your vote count.

The finalists in the Care and Compassion category are Marieanna Hammond, from Alice Springs; my good friend Jack Hamilton OAM; and Julie Rankin, who works tirelessly in palliative care. In the Child of Courage award category Kourtney Rimmer, who committed to cycling and running an incredible 100km, raising $3,300 for Autism NT, is the finalist. In the Community Spirit category are the active Janette Jewell; the amazing Andrew Warton, who raised awareness of suicide risk and prevention through his charity, Kayak 4 Youth; and Irene Mellios, who raised $250,000 for Territorians battling cancer.

In the Courage category there is Belinda Marshall, for raising money for the Leukaemia Foundation after her own struggle with this terrible disease. In the Environment category there is Dr Michael Guinea, Andrea Ruske and Mandy Hall. In the Fair Go category there is the ever energetic and passionate Romola Sebastianpillai, Nitesh Pant and Carine Kapiamba Tshimbu. In the Heroism category there is the NT face of the Bring Them Home campaign, Bob Shewring, and Steve Martz. In the Inspiration category there is Dr Rama Jayaraj, Jedda Trueman and Clare Labowitch. In the Outstanding Bravery category there is Lee-Anne Stallan, Nick Stevenson and Owen Whittaker. In the Young Leader category there is the inspirational and incredibly talented Abbey Holmes, Alyssa O'Donnell and Dominic Sloane.

I am really looking forward to finding out who our local hero will be in the people's choice, but also the winner of each of these 10 categories. The ceremony will be on 7 October. Please, let us get behind these fabulous Territorians and support them. Go to the website: http://www.ntnews.com.au/news/pride-of-australia.

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