Ex-Raiders captain Tongue wins ACT award

Former Canberra Raiders captain Alan Tongue has been named ACT Australian of the Year.

The former NRL player won the accolade for his achievements in training and mentoring young people at the Bimberi Youth Justice Centre and developing a program to help kids make positive life choices.

Tongue is also an anti-domestic violence campaigner and supports Canberra's homeless by serving breakfast at the Early Morning Centre.

The announcement was made at a ceremony at the National Gallery of Australia on Monday night.

Tongue and the ACT's award recipients for the young, senior and local hero categories will join other state and territory finalists for the national awards on January 25.