A substance misuse campaigner and community worker who founded a link-up service to help young people battling addiction has been named Australian of the Year for the Northern Territory.
Blair McFarland moved to central Australia in 1986 and founded the Central Australian Youth Link-Up Service (CAYLUS) as he watched the community struggle with the petrol sniffing epidemic of the 1990s.
His work was instrumental in orchestrating the roll-out of Low Aromatic Fuel and implementing the Federal Low Aromatic Fuel Act, reducing volatile substance misuse by 95 per cent.
The now 66-year-old also received the Prime Minister's Award for his contribution to Drug & Alcohol Endeavours in 2008.
The community worker was among four territory nominees announced at a ceremony at the Darwin Convention Centre on Monday evening.
Elder, teacher and community leader, Yalmay Yunupingu took out the Senior Australian of the Year for the NT.
Ms Yunupingu's tireless advocacy for the preservation of the Yolngu language was recognised by the judges.
The 67-year-old began translating Dr Seuss books at the community library and went on to guide teaching at Yirrkala Bilingual School.
Teenage medical student Peter Susanto was awarded young Northern Territorian of the year for his dedication to the local community and his phenomenal intelligence.
Mr Susanto came third in the world in the International Brain Bee Olympiad, a competition about the brain and neuroscience and in 2022 started studying medicine at Charles Darwin University at the age of just 15.
Musician and elder Witiyana Marika was named the territory's 2024 Local Hero.
The 62-year-old Yolngu man is best known for founding rock band Yothu Yindi but continued to contribute to the territory by passing down his extensive cultural knowledge.
National Australia Day Council CEO Mark Fraser said the winners were "extraordinary".
"Witiyana and Yalmay are passionate keepers of culture, Blair continues to fight for those most in need of support, and Peter proves the future is in very good hands, not just through his abilities, but his spirit," Mr Fraser said.
