He believed in the untapped potential of neurodivergent people in the workforce, and now data analyst Geoffrey Smith has been named Queensland's 2025 Australian of the Year.
Adults with autism face unemployment rates 10 times the average person, but 35-year-old Mr Smith could see their unique skills were being overlooked.
He co-founded Australian Spatial Analytics, a work-integrated social enterprise.
The firm provides geo-spatial and engineering services for the tech industry.
About 80 per cent of its employees are neurodivergent, and 61 per cent of employees are in a job for the first time after experiencing long-term unemployment.
Mr Smith hopes to expand the team to 1000 people by 2030.
The recipients of the 2025 Australian of the Year Awards for Queensland were announced at a ceremony in Brisbane on Monday night.
They included Senior Australian of the Year, Dr Bronwyn Herbert.
After losing her husband just before giving birth, Dr Herbert noticed a young couple in hospital had lost their baby but were offered no support.
This inspired her to study social work, a course she completed at 40, which led to a Masters degree at 61 and a PhD at 90.
Her 60-year career focused on breaking the cycle of homelessness, which has changed lives.
Queensland's Young Australian of the Year is 30-year-old scientist Dr Katrina Wruck, who created Nguki Kula Green Labs.
A Mabuigilaig and Goemulgal woman, Dr Wruck built the profit-for-purpose business to harness the power of green chemistry, turning dangerous "forever chemicals" into benign ones that can be utilised to create safer consumer goods.
Queensland's local hero is the founder of Wildlife Rescue Sunshine Coast Claire Smith.
Ms Smith founded the first volunteer-run, 24-hour wildlife rescue service in Queensland.
Other confirmed nominees for the 2025 Australian of the Year are Kindness Factory founder Kath Koschel (NSW), child protection expert Leah Bromfield (SA), climate solutions innovator Sam Elsom (TAS), musician and cultural ambassador Grant Ngulmiya Nundhirribala (NT), motor neurone disease cure campaigner Neale Daniher (VIC) and agriculture pioneers Dianne and Ian Haggerty (WA).
The winners of the national awards will be unveiled on January 25 in Canberra.
