When he took the reins at Darwin-based Handicapped Persons’ Association, Tony Burns transformed the entire culture in a matter of weeks. The charity, which had been breaking down barriers since 1963, was renamed Helping People Achieve – and that’s exactly what Tony’s been doing since. The former professional tennis player, ultra-marathon runner and ironman is determined to focus on possibilities rather than disabilities. More than two-thirds of Tony’s 100-strong crew have a disability, and work in one of HPA’s three businesses. With the same fiery passion and drive to make a difference, Tony has raised more than $600,000 for local charities. He is an ambassador for the John McLean Foundation, a charity that exists to change the lives of young Australians who use wheelchairs, and created the Croc to Croc 100-kilometre ultra-marathon to raise money for Nemarluk School, which supports preschool and primary students with a disability. A highly-inspirational leader, Tony brings people together, promotes possibilities and removes the stigma attached to disabilities.

From Jimmie Blacksmith to King Lear, Tom E. Lewis has delivered critically-acclaimed and thought-provoking acting performances during his 40-year career. Born in Ngukurr on the banks of the Roper River in South Eastern Arnhem land, Tom is the son of a Welsh father and an Indigenous mother. Brought up traditionally, he left school at 12, working as a bricklayer and stockman before he was discovered for the role of Jimmy Blacksmith while waiting at an airport. His documentary film, Yellow Fella, is an exploration of his mixed race heritage, and was the first Australian Indigenous documentary selected to screen at the Cannes Film Festival. Tom’s retelling of Shakespeare’s King Lear transformed the mad king into an Aboriginal elder, challenging Australians to examine Indigenous culture in new ways. A unique singer-songwriter, Tom pioneered the use of didjeridu in contemporary music, and runs an arts centre and cultural festival called Walking with Spirits. With deep insight and feeling, Tom is a campfire storyteller for a modern world.

Working across a 350,000 square kilometre stretch of central Australia, Andrea Mason is helping Indigenous women to raise strong, healthy children. As the Chief Executive Officer of the Ngaayatjarra, Pitjanjatjarra and Yankunytjatjara Women's Council, Andrea brings together Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal thinking to create employment, support health and wellbeing, and tackle domestic violence and other social challenges. With deep respect for local language, law and culture, Andrea is leading innovative social enterprises, such as the Tjanpi Desert Weavers, building micro businesses, teaching valuable employment skills, and melding traditional healers with the best of western medicine to maximise healing and well-being. She is determined to help children and young people realise the same aspirations as their urban counterparts. A high achiever, Andrea was the first Indigenous Australian woman to lead a political party, after the Family First Party chose her as its national leader in 2004. Today, Andrea's commitment, compassion and drive to support families in the vast NPY region is indefatigable.

The driving force behind Darwin institution Tracks Dance, Tim Newth and David McMicken have created a model for community engagement through dance that is admired the world over. As co-artistic directors and founders of the company, Tim and David have collaborated for more than 25 years to help people around the Northern Territory find a voice through dance. Each year, they produce dynamic, site-specific dance performances which celebrate Australian culture. As a result of trusted community collaboration and innovative thinking, they have transformed the lives of many, working closely with youth, seniors, culturally diverse and Indigenous communities. Their longstanding commitment to the Warlpiri People of the remote community of Lajamanu has supported better health, education and wellbeing, while The Grey Panthers senior dance group challenges perceptions of old age and the place of women in society. With deep attention to the human spirit, Tim and David are inspiring generations of the Territory’s dancers and youth leaders.