Australian of the Year Local Heroes 2021 are a portrait of compassion, courage and creativity FriFriday 22 updated SatSaturday 23 Loading Print text only Cancel After a year of extraordinary adversity, Australians have continued to strive to better their communities with compassion and resolve. From supporting drought-stricken farmers to re-thinking our relationship with plastic and combating family violence, the finalists for the Australian of the Year's Local Hero award have made their "corner of the world" a better place. They have given shelter to those experiencing homelessness, provided education and employment opportunities for young people, and helped migrants find their feet in a new country.