Lessons from Tasmania’s most inspiring locals
In a state where community still feels personal and impact often starts with a conversation, Tasmania’s 2026 Australians of the Year reflect the quiet grit and generosity that define this island. From hospital rescue scenes and school lunchrooms to classrooms and cafe kitchens, their work reaches into everyday lives, proving that meaningful change does not need a megaphone, just commitment.
Dr Jorian (Jo) Kippax
Emergency doctor Dr Jorian (Jo) Kippax is the 2026 Australian of the Year for Tasmania. Dr Kippax was part of a specialist team of rescuers who saved a whitewater rafter trapped on the Franklin River in 2024.
What do you love about living in Tasmania?
My wife and I moved to Tasmania about 20 years ago from New Zealand. She comes from Burnie and we just wanted to come back. We love the amazing landscape, the wilderness of Tasmania and we love the sense of community. We as a family spend a lot of time around the coastline and the waters around Hobart and the South Coast. So for me, it’s that mixture of community and access to really genuine remote wilderness so close by.
What is something uniquely Tasmanian about what you come across in your work?
We cover the entirety of the state, from the Bass Strait islands to the urban parts of the state as well as the remote. And you might find yourself being dispatched to a fairly regular job of a hospital transfer or you might find yourself diverted and being lowered through trees into the scene of a logging accident or landing on a windswept West Coast beach or on a roadside somewhere. And because it’s a relatively small place there’s a lot of cross over, so I frequently find myself dealing with paramedics professionally but then meeting the same people kayaking on a river the next day.
What keeps you grounded?
Definitely family. My eight-year-old son, Daniel, said to me the other day “Don't worry, Dad, everyone will forget about this next week, and you can go back to being a nobody again.” So thanks, buddy!
What keeps you going when times are tough?
Again, family. Between my kids and patients, I never question the need to get out of bed in the morning. And lifelong friends who you can call when you’ve had a bad day and you can sit down and have a good natter about what’s going on. Often it’s a matter of being reassured that there’s nothing else you could or should have done.
Have you had a mentor? If yes, please share a bit about them and your relationship with them?
I’ve had so many people throughout my medical training, nurses and doctors, but I guess a couple who stand out are a hyperbaric specialist called David Smart and an anaesthetist, Marcus Skinner. They have always been incredible role models and they’re people you can measure yourself against. There are so many good clinicians, but it’s rare to find people who have that balance of being an amazing person and an amazing clinician, and are able to balance it all together.
Credit: Salty Dingo
Julie Dunbabin
Julie Dunbabin is the 2026 Senior Australian of the Year for Tasmania. Julie set up School Food Matters and is a pioneer in school nutrition.
What do you just love about living in Tasmania?
I love lots of things about living in Tasmania, but I think what I really love is the sense of community that we have and the ability to connect with people at all different levels, from neighbours, to politicians, through to schools. I think there’s just a lovely ease that we can communicate here in Tasmania.
What is something particularly Tasmanian about the work that you’ve been doing?
There are two things. One is the ease with which you can work with fellow organisations, for example we’ve worked closely with Loaves and Fishes Tasmania to deliver the school lunch programme, and that’s been really special. The other is the fact that we can utilise the amazing food that’s produced in Tasmania and connect that to the children, and the children can understand where their food comes from.
What keeps you grounded?
What keeps me grounded is the children, really, and just knowing that we’re meeting the needs of children whilst at school, and that social aspect that we’re creating for children to eat together and spend time enjoying what they’re eating. So that keeps me really grounded, as well as the people that I’ve worked with over the years.
What keeps you going when times are tough or you’re just exhausted?
I have a particular picture of a student who is from a family of seven, and he’s the youngest. I still remember the day when he realised that he could have a full plate of food and then he could come back for seconds. So, when things are tough in the office, he’s a little person that I look at and think, ‘This is why we do what we’re doing’.
Have you had a mentor or a person of inspiration?
I would probably have to go back to Jamie Oliver and his inspirational work in this space. I’ll never forget watching him with his chicken nugget video, where he made chicken nuggets from the carcasses of chickens, with children watching, and they were aghast! Then when he shaped it into the shape that they knew, they didn’t hesitate to eat it because they knew the shape, and therefore they knew what the taste was going to be. I think he’s probably my inspiration to do the work that I do.
Credit: Salty Dingo
Alyssia Kennedy
Our Young Australian of the Year is life skills educator Alyssia Kennedy, who founded the Life After School program to help bridge the gap between school education and life knowledge.
What do you love about living in Tasmania?
I love the stunning beaches, the friendly people and all the hidden gems Tasmania has to offer. We’re so lucky to call this beautiful state home.
What is something uniquely Tasmanian about what you do in your line of work?
What makes Life After School unique in Tasmania is how connected everything is. We work with local services and use tools that are right on our doorstep, making life skills education practical, achievable and grounded in our own communities.
What keeps you grounded?
Working in communities and with young people keeps me grounded. I wouldn’t be here without the support and encouragement of the people I work with; it’s their belief in what we do that makes everything possible.
What keeps you going when times are tough?
When times get tough, I’m so grateful for my husband, family, friends and two adorable pups. They know me so well and offer support, perspective and encouragement that keep me going, even when I doubt myself.
Have you had a mentor or a person of inspiration?
Damian Peirce from DPCTas has been my mentor and inspiration. He was the one who encouraged me to speak at a local school about life skills, which was a pivotal moment for me. He does a lot with young people and apprenticeships and traineeships, so there is a lot that I have learned from him. Over the past five years, Damian has been an incredible advocate and mentor, offering guidance and support as I’ve grown Life After School. I’m truly grateful for his ongoing advice and encouragement.
Credit: Salty Dingo
Emily Briffa
Emily Briffa is our 2026 Local Hero. Her social enterprise, Hamlet, is a Hobart cafe and hospitality service helping disadvantaged and marginalised people overcome employment barriers and transform their lives.
What do you love about living in Tasmania?
I love the proximity to nature and the strong sense of community. There’s a genuine feeling of connection here, people look out for one another and want to support each other.
What is something uniquely Tasmanian about what you do in your line of work?
Tasmania has the highest rate of disability in the country and some of the lowest employment outcomes for this cohort, which makes the work we do both urgent and deeply local. At the same time, Tasmania is small enough that relationships really matter. At Hamlet, our work is grounded in community, participants, employers, local producers and supporters are all just a few degrees apart. That closeness allows us to collaborate, respond quickly and create genuinely tailored pathways into work that wouldn’t be possible in a larger system.
What keeps you grounded?
Spending time with my family, especially my two girls, keeps everything in perspective. Getting outside, a walk along the Rivulet Track on a busy day helps me reset and remember why the work matters.
What keeps you going when times are tough?
The people. Watching participants build confidence, learn new skills and take steps they once thought were out of reach is incredibly motivating.
Have you had a mentor or a person of inspiration?
I’ve been fortunate to learn from many people along the way, particularly women in leadership who have shown me that you can lead with both strength and empathy. I’ve also learned a lot from the participants at Hamlet: their resilience, dedication and determination constantly inspire me to do better.
How to get involved in your community
Simple ways to make a difference in Tasmania
Emily: Start small and start where you are. Find something you genuinely care about and offer your time, skills or voice. Community change isn’t about grand gestures, it's about showing up, listening and being willing. Support local and social enterprises, volunteer when you can and be open to learning from people whose experiences differ from your own. Sometimes the most meaningful impact comes from small, everyday choices and treating people with kindness and respect.
Julie: Have a passion for what it is you’re doing. Have time to do what you want to do, and don’t be too hard on yourself if you don’t get something done within a couple of months. Because sometimes these things do take a lot longer than what you expect.
Jo: Get out there and enjoy the wilderness, whether it’s just a day walk or something more demanding, but doing so as part of an outdoor community. For example: joining clubs, learning how to do activities such as rock climbing or kayaking or other outdoor activities as part of a community, so that you can enjoy the wilderness responsibly and safely. Minimising the impact of your activities on others and doing so with appreciation for the wilderness because it’s such an amazing world!
Alyssia: My advice is simple; just do it! Reach out, get involved and start building connections. You’ll be amazed at how much you learn, grow and gain from being an active part of your community. Be kind and get involved in your community. Even small actions can add up to make a big difference in Tasmania. Donate blood, help out at the local community centre – do something you love.
For more, visit australianoftheyear.org.au