Brukner, 72, founded Australia’s largest sports medicine centre at Olympic Park and established the world-leading La Trobe Sport and Exercise Medicine Research Centre.

After his own health issues, the former Australian cricket team and Liverpool Football Club team doctor turned his focus towards obesity and chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes.

Victoria’s Young Australian of the Year is Aishwarya Kansakar, an entrepreneur in AI and automation and innovator in STEM education.

Raised amid Nepal’s civil war, the multilingual 29-year-old survived an arson attack at school but went on to teach herself computing, launching her career.

Women’s football advocate Jasmine Hirst, 50, is Victoria’s Local Hero for her work creating Australia’s biggest soccer program for girls and women.

Other confirmed nominees for the 2025 Australian of the Year so far are child protection expert Leah Bromfield (SA), climate solutions innovator Sam Elsom (Tasmania), and musician and cultural ambassador Grant Ngulmiya Nundhirribala (NT).

The winners of the national awards will be unveiled on January 25.

AAP

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