Arnhem Land artist Grant Ngulmiya Nundhirribala has been named the 2025 Northern Territory Australian of the Year, in recognition of his work as an ambassador for music, language and culture across the world.

After decades leading Numbulwar’s famous Red Flag Dancers while collaborating with other artists from around the world, the 49-year-old said he was “shocked” to receive the award at a ceremony in Darwin on Monday evening.

Mr Nundhirribala said he hoped the achievement would help showcase the talent of fellow artists from Australia’s remote communities.

“I can feel this award that I won today, I am proud, really proud, (because) it concerns everyone and my community,” he said.

“I’m not doing this (just for my) community, (I’m doing this) for the whole world.”

Mr. Nundhirribala said he was honored that his music motivates others to live their dreams and make the world a better place.

Territories, young and old, recognized for their years of service

Nilesh Dilushan moved to the Northern Territory from Sri Lanka eight years ago as an international student before establishing two non-profit organizations aimed at closing literacy gaps and helping young migrants to improve their skills.

After being named the NT’s 2025 Young Australian of the Year, the 28-year-old said he believes volunteering is the best way for young people to engage in their communities while building meaningful relationships .

“When I started volunteering, it gave me the people I call my community, it gave me friends I call family and it also gave me a place that I call my house,” he said.

As a migrant, Mr Dilushan said he hoped receiving the honor would encourage more young, multicultural Territories to strive for positive change in their communities.

“I think when I go on stage, a whole new generation of people are going to look at me and say ‘if he can do it, I can do it too’ and that’s (what) our work in the community is all about .pretty much,” he said.

Mr Dilushan said while it was gratifying to be recognized, the award also came with the responsibility of preparing the next generation of leaders to take on the role of tackling local issues.

Also honored on the evening was NT’s 2025 Australian Senior of the Year, Michael Foley, who was recognized for his many hours of volunteering with community organizations including Seniors of Excellence NT, which he founded in 2014.

The 84-year-old has been giving his time to his community for more than 40 years and has raised thousands of dollars for organizations including Cancer Care NT, Variety and the Royal Darwin Hospital Palliative Care Hospital.

Fallen figbird inspires decades of service to wildlife

NT 2025 local hero Mignon McHendrie has been recognized for her decades of work saving and caring for the territory’s wildlife.

Ms McHendrie traced her love of animals to her childhood in South Australia, which she says was spent thwarting adults’ efforts to trap rabbits.

“I decided, well, I’ll follow them around and drop the traps before an animal gets to them — (I) got in a lot of trouble,” she said.

After moving to Darwin, Ms McHendrie said it was the fate of a fallen fig tree outside the NT Parliament that ensured her dedication to saving wildlife would continue.

“It had no feathers but it was covered in green ants and if anyone knows Darwin and green ants they know they are very painful,” she said.

“So I took all the green ants out and I called Parks and Wildlife and said ‘Hey, I have this little bird, can you please save it?’ and they said “no, we don’t have caregivers, we don’t have anyone who does that kind of thing.”

Ms McHendrie said the exchange inspired her to take the bird home and care for it herself, and “from there it grew and grew” to become the founder of Wildcare Incorporated in 1996 .

“Now we have about 144 members and we answer every call that comes in if we can,” she said.

The four NT winners will now join those from other states and territories for the national awards, with the winners to be announced at a ceremony in Canberra on January 25.