Queenslander Dr Katrina Wruck has been named the 2025 Young Australian of the Year at the 2025 Australian of the Year Awards.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese presented the award, as well as the Senior Australian of the Year, Australian of the Year and Local Hero, at the National Arboretum in Canberra.
Dr Katrina Wruck was named Young Australian of the Year, while Neale Daniher AO was announced Australian of the Year, Brother Thomas Oliver Pickett AM was named Senior Australian of the Year and Vanessa Brettell and Hannah Costello were named Local Heroes.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli said Dr Wruck had long advocated for First Nations knowledge and shared her passion for science with others.
“There are many wonderful people across Queensland who demonstrate dedication and selflessness every day and Dr Wruck is among that group of amazing Queenslanders,” Premier Crisafulli said.
“As 2025 Young Australian of the Year, I am confident she will use this platform to create more opportunities for young Australians and through her work, advocate for greener practices.”
He said, in total, 101 Queenslanders received Australia Day honours.
Premier Crisafulli said some of the other Queenslanders recognised included the Scientia Professor Megan David AC, who was honoured for eminent service to the law, social justice, national and international advocacy right of Indigenous people and to the community.
“The Honourable Justice James Edelman AC was recognised for eminent service to the law and to the judiciary, to legal education and scholarship, as a mentor to academics and legal practitioners in Australia and internationally, and to the community.”
He said Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) honours had been awarded to Laurie Lawrence for distinguished service to water safety education and to swimming as a high-performance coach, and to Professor John Fraser for distinguished service to medicine as an intensive care physician and surgeon, and to global critical care research.
The complete Australia Day 2025 Honours List is available on the Governor-General’s website.
2025 Young Australian of the Year: Dr Katrina Wruck
Scientist and entrepreneur
Dr Katrina Wruck’s research is giving back to remote communities. Based on her research, Katrina has set up a profit-for-purpose business, Nguki Kula Green Labs, which is poised to transform the consumer goods sector by harnessing the power of green chemistry, while inspiring others to step into STEM.
Katrina’s method of converting mining byproducts to zeolite LTA – which can remove contaminants from water that cause hardness – will be commercialised. Her postdoctoral research examines how to break down dangerous ‘forever chemicals’ into benign ones. Altogether, Katrina’s work is a possible foundation for reducing global contamination.
A proud Mabuigilaig and Goemulgal woman who has long advocated for First Nations knowledge, Katrina also participates in community engagement programs. She is frequently told by the students she speaks to that she’s the first Indigenous scientist they’ve met. Her work has been recognised with several awards and she is already well known in her field.
