Musical prodigy William Barton has been named the 2023 Queensland Australian of the Year.
The Kalkadunga man, who grew up in Mount Isa, was the first to integrate the deep, soulful sounds of the didjeridu with orchestras and classical ensembles.
He was the youngest composer voted into the ABC Classic composer countdown and has performed across Europe and with the Australian String Quartet and Queensland Symphony Orchestra.
Barton also performed at Bob Hawke's funeral.
The 2023 Queensland Local Hero is Melissa Redsell, whose organisation A Brave Life helps teenage mums reach their potential.
Child protection campaigner and Bravehearts fundraiser Claude Lyle Harvey was named Queensland Senior Australian of the Year.
This Queensland Young Australian of the Year is Talei Elu, a Seisia woman from Cape York who is using her government experience, knack for media creation and community organisation skills to start initiatives that have a positive effect in the community.
The winners were announced at a ceremony at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Life dedicated to music, culture
Barton could not accept his award in person on Tuesday night — he was in Melbourne to accept the Australian Guild of Screen Composers awards for Best Soundtrack Album, for the motion picture, River, and Best Original Song Composed for the Screen for Spirit Voice of the Enchanted Waters, also from the film.
His mum, Delmae, collected the award on her son's behalf.
She told ABC Radio Brisbane Breakfast team Loretta Ryan and Craig Zonca that she knew her son was destined for greatness.
"When he was child he had slender fingers, so I thought he was going to either be a musician or a surgeon — and not just a musician, but a great musician or a great surgeon," Ms Barton said.
"This award is sending out a special message for the tireless work William has done bringing all cultures and ages together with his music.
"There's no generation in music."
Barton learned didjeridu – or yidaki – from his uncle, Arthur Peterson, a Wannyi, Lardil and Kalkadunga elder.
He left school at 12 to concentrate on music and by the age of 17 had performed with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra.
Barton encouraged kids to stay in school but admitted there had been times when he could not believe where his career had taken him.
"Sometimes you have to pinch yourself, like when you're backstage in Carnegie Hall," he said.
"I wanted to be part of that mystery, that spirit I felt when my uncle played on the didjeridu.
"Growing up, I was listening to varying styles of music and that really created a canvas for me to learn from."
Barton said being named the Queensland Australian of the Year was a "huge honour".
"I'm going to continue to do what I do through the actioning of creation and acknowledging we're part of something much greater than us," he said.
Giving young mums a future
When Melissa Redsell fell pregnant with her daughter at 16, she was told her life was over.
But the determined young woman went on to university to become a registered nurse and then a midwife.
During her career she saw a need for practical education and support for young mums and A Brave Life was created.
"I grew up in a very dysfunctional family, I witnessed family violence, I had been in an unhealthy relationship myself," Ms Redsell said.
"One day I looked at my daughter and I thought, I've got to do something that really benefits her — she deserves so much more in life.'"
Originally from Townsville, Ms Redsell said she intended to expand her services to regional and rural Queensland after seven years operating in the state's south-east.
Thanking her volunteers, Ms Redsell said being named Queensland Australian Local Hero for 2023 meant she could let everyone know "we're here for the young women in the community".
"We're fighting for them, they are seen, they are heard, we are going to make a difference in their lives," she said.
Journey for two girls
Claude Lyle Harvey has decided to spend his retirement trekking around Australia to increase awareness of child protection and raise funds for Bravehearts, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to preventing child sexual abuse and assisting survivors.
Over the past 17 years, he has pushed his lawnmower "Moyra" tens of thousands of kilometres around Australia.
The 2023 Queensland Senior Australian of the Year has raised more than $1.5 million for Bravehearts and aims to hit $2 million by the end of 2024.
Mr Harvey started his extraordinary efforts after learning about two girls aged three and four who had been sexually abused by their 16-year-old neighbour.
"If I can save just one child from this crime that harms one in five Australian children, I will have achieved what I've set out to do," he said.
Support for women, environment
A Saibai Koedal (crocodile) woman, Talei Elu is creating change in her small Cape York community by enrolling Indigenous voters and organising free feminine hygiene products, baby necessities, beauty and self-care items for women.
The 30-year-old regularly organises beach clean-ups and was recently named as the youngest member of the First Nations Consultative Committee, as well as co-chair.
Ms Elu was named Queensland Young Australian of the Year.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the award recipients demonstrated tireless commitment and compassion in their pursuits.
"We are proud to recognise these extraordinary Queenslanders whose positive impacts are improving lives and society on a daily basis," she said.
The four Queensland recipients will join those from the other states and territories for the national awards to be announced on January 25, 2023.
You can find more information on the Australian of the Year Awards here.
