What the 2025 NSW Young Australian of the Year Wants You to Know

“There are so many incredible young people doing amazing things that needs to be celebrated”

In 2020, Maddison O’Gradey-Lee co-founded the Orygen Global Youth Mental Health Fellowship.

Five years later she would be named the New South Wales Young Australian of the Year.

And she still remembers the feeling of shock radiating through her!

“If you rewatch the recording, my mum and my friend were my guests and they both yelled out ‘Oh my God!’,” she told Student Edge.

“They were so shocked as well which was quite hilarious.”

In less than 12 months since Maddi was named the NSW Young Aus of the Year, she admits her life has changed – for the better.

And maybe you know someone aged 16-30 who’s done something worth shouting about.

If some immediately comes to mind, you can nominate them to be a Young Aus of the Year in your state/territory. And get in quick because nominations close 31 July. 

Maddi shared with us how much her life has changed since.

When Maddi and her co-founder first founded the Orygen Global Youth Mental Health Fellowship, their goal was to create a community full of young people with lived experience.

And a space for young people to feel themselves.

“As I’ve grown as an advocate, my work has more looked towards empowering other people with lived experience to create change in their community,” she told Student Edge.

“And really to show the power of individuals and the power of lived experience to create change in the mental health space within that fellowship.”

But a big part of how her life has changed, has been the ability for her to connect with others.

“I think the most important way has been getting to connect with these incredible people from around Australia who all care about making Australia a better place for its citizens,” she said.

“That’s been so special, getting to meet and connect with amazing people, to learn from them and to celebrate their success, and to have them celebrate your success.”

What being nominated meant to her.

As Maddi aptly puts it, no one gets into this kind of advocacy because they want to receive awards or recognition.

“They often do it because they really care and it’s hard work and it’s often on top of their own lives and jobs,” she said.

“So having the recognition of an award like this and even just a nomination means so much.

“Because what it says is that the community cares about your work and at the end of the day, I think this is why we all do this work…because we want to make a difference for our community.”

Why you should nominate a young Aussie for 2026.

When you nominate someone to be a Young Australian of the Year, it can feel like you haven’t done much.

But in reality, you’re actually opening up a door for that person to make a whole world of difference.

Maddi said she would strongly encourage anyone to nominate someone who they think deserves it.

“I think it is so important that we recognise young people doing incredible work in their communities for so many reasons,” she told Student Edge.

“And I think the first is to really highlight the power of young people.

“Often, I think we're quick to judge young people and make assumptions about the generation, but I think there are so many incredible young people doing amazing things, and that needs to be celebrated.

“And we need to have more of those stories of success shown for the community, but also for young people to see that you can do this.”

If you know a young Aussie aged 16-30 who is doing some inspiring stuff, nominate them to be a Young Australian of the Year here. Nominations close 31 July.