The 2023 Tasmania Young Australian of the Year was won by Kingston local, humanitarian and marathon runner Meriem Daoui.
Meriem Daoui, a Tasmanian marathon runner and registered nurse, uses her love of running as a platform to do good.
She ran her first marathon at age 16, raising over $5,000 for displaced Syrians affected by their country’s civil war.
Born in Morocco, Meriem relocated to Tasmania at age 10 where she experienced racism and was bullied for wearing a hijab.
Anxiety, depression and eating disorders plagued her teenage years, but the support she received during her adversities inspired her to give back to the community.
Now 23, Meriem has also used marathons to raise awareness and funds for childhood cancer research.
She most recently conquered the Everest challenge, running the Point-to-Pinnacle course, also known as the world’s hardest half-marathon, every day for one week.
The challenge raised over $12,000.
In 2021, Meriem was awarded the Australian Peter Norman Humanitarian award for her community and philanthropic efforts.
Nominee for Tasmania’s Australian of the Year was Woodbridge Professor Brett McDermott for his tireless efforts as Director of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service Tasmania.
Kingborough local Amanda French, who is the Founder for Dress for Success Hobart, was nominated as Tasmania’s local hero for providing support, guidance, and mentorship to women in need in the Kingston and area community.
The 2023 Tasmania Australian of the Year Awards were announced in the presence of the Honourable Barbara Baker AC, Governor of Tasmania and Jeremy Rockliff, Premier of Tasmania at a ceremony in Hobart on November 4, 2022.
The four Tasmania recipients will join those from the other states and territories for the national awards to be announced on 25 January 2023.