Women’s singles tennis world number one Ash Barty has been named Queensland's Young Australian of the Year.
Barty has become a household name after a stunning 2019 in which she won a maiden grand slam title at the French Open and scaled the summit of women's tennis
She is only the second Australian Women's Tennis Association singles number one, after Evonne Goolagong Cawley.
A First Nations woman, Barty serves as the National Indigenous Tennis Ambassador for Tennis Australia.
Ash Barty of Australia in action during the doubles match against Caroline Garcia and Kristina Mladenovic of France on day 2 of the Fed Cup Final Source: AAP
“Ash Barty inspires legions of fans with her dynamic tennis game, formidable serve and down-to-earth attitude,” the Australian of the Year Awards said.
Barty has won six singles titles on the WTA Tour, including the 2019 French Open.
She also won a doubles title at the 2018 US Open with partner CoCo Vandeweghe.
An educator helping students report harm without fear has been named Queensland's Australian of the Year.
Twenty-five years ago, Rachel Downie became an educator to help young people but after a Year 9 student took their own life she developed and funded Stymie, a site where students can anonymously report harm without fear.
Queensland's Senior Australian of the Year is Peter Dornan AM, honoured for his work on prostate cancer.
The 2020 Local Hero is Nick Marshall, who created a program helping children with special needs experience nippers.
The Queensland recipients will join those from the other states and territories for the national awards ceremony at the National Arboretum in Canberra in January.
