The local finalists for the 2010 Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year and Young Australian of the Year awards were announced yesterday. They include a breast cancer surgeon, a human rights advocate, a BMX champion, and a political journalist and former Canberra Times editor.

In each award category there are four finalists. Chief Minister Jon Stanhope will announce the winners at the ACT Australian of the Year Awards on November 25.

They will then contest the national awards, to be announced on January 25 in Canberra.

National Australia Day Council programs director, Tam Johnston, said, ''The ACT finalists are high achievers and quiet achievers.

''They are people we can all look up to and draw inspiration from.''

ACT finalists:

ACT Australian of the Year

Political journalist (and former Canberra Times editor) Michelle Grattan.

Sing Australia founder Colin Slater.

Human rights advocate Patricia Easteal.

Environmental and health visionary Professor Tony McMichael.

ACT Senior Australian of the Year

Basketball coach Barry Barnes.

Breast cancer surgeon John Buckingham.

Teacher and volunteer Gabrielle Jarvis.

Civil libertarian Bill Rowlings.

ACT Young Australian of the Year

BMX champion Caroline Buchanan.

Indigenous leader Michael Galluzzo.

Basketballer and humanitarian Pierre Johannessen.

Medical engineer Thomas Ward.

ACT Local Hero

Soccer administrator Gordon Carmichael.

Choir leader Andrea Clifford.

Disabilities volunteer Julie Grehan.

Musical educator Deborah Masling.