Young Australian of the Year finalists

YOUNG AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR FINALISTS

ACT - MADELINE DIAMOND

Madeline Diamond is bringing young people together to combat pollution with her organisation Trash Gather, which meets monthly to pick up rubbish left in public areas in Canberra. She's also the executive officer of SEE-Change, an organisation supporting sustainable causes.

NSW - COREY TUTT

The proud Kamilaroi man established Deadly Science as a way of spreading science to remote schools around Australia. So far he's raised over $30,000 and engaged with more than 90 schools, distributing 4300 books and 70 telescopes.

QLD - ASH BARTY

The Ipswich-born tennis player has risen through the world rankings and inspired fans with her indefatigable tennis style. Her calm, good-humoured nature has also lifted her head and shoulders above the rest when it comes to accepting defeat with grace.

SA - ZIBEON FIELDING

He raised $50,000 while running an ultra-marathon through the APY homelands in the Northern Territory. The money went to Purple House, an organisation bringing dialysis treatments to some of Australia's most remote communities.

TAS - WILL SMITH

A desire to help has taken Will Smith from local football clubs to the Lebanese and Syrian border, where he set up soccer competitions. As a cadet police officer he brought two opposing groups - police and disaffected youth - together in holiday camps through the Edmund Rice program, breaking down barriers on both sides.

VIC - TAYA DAVIES

Taya Davies provides love and guidance to troubled youth with her programs run through Geelong City Council. Recently she co-ordinated a six-week surfing and community immersion program with young asylum seekers.

WA - YARLALAU THOMAS

As a Nyangumarta Pitjikarli man he was the first in his community to finish the HSC. Now he's working as a doctor in Western Australia, transforming genetic healthcare services for remote indigenous people and recently launching the UNESCO-endorsed Life Languages project.