'It's not just about one person': Dinosaur hero digs into community spirit

The Advertiser

18-07-2025

David Elliott still remembers the moment he heard his name read out at the Australian of the Year Awards in Canberra last year.
Surrounded by people whose stories left him humbled, the executive chairman of the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum at Winton, Queensland, didn't expect to be called to the stage.
"I was sitting there thinking about all the incredible Australians in the room," Mr Elliott said.
"I had already decided it wasn't going to be me. So when my name came up as Australia's Local Hero for 2024, I think I just sat there for a second, stunned. It took a little while to sink in."
For Mr Elliott, who has spent more than two decades unearthing dinosaurs in Queensland's red soil, the recognition wasn't about personal glory. It was about the team, the community and the idea that extraordinary things can grow from ordinary people with big dreams.
With nominations for the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards closing on July 31, he hopes Australians will look closer at the unsung heroes in their own lives.
Being named Australia's Local Hero in 2024 had created opportunities for the museum, Mr Elliott said.
"Now when I go to talk to people, they know who you are and what you're doing. That credibility is really important. Before, a lot of them hadn't heard of us."
While the museum already had strong partnerships in scientific circles, the award expanded its profile to the the broader public.
"We were well known among researchers and universities, but not as much outside that world.
"This recognition has helped change that. Recognition inspires people to keep going and often motivates others around them. It's not just about one person, it's about lifting a whole community."
Out in Winton, a small town in Queensland's rugged heart, the pace of life has picked up since the award. Meetings, fossil digs and pushing forward a vision that began at his kitchen table with wife Judy more than 20 years ago has become all-consuming.
This year, much of his energy is going into an ambitious plan for an Australian natural history museum.
"We want to go beyond dinosaurs," Mr Elliott said. "This is about Australia's entire natural history, animals, plants, landscapes. It's our story, and what we're building now will inspire kids in 50 or 100 years."
The groundbreaking dinosaur work continues. In June, the museum made global headlines with a world first: discovery of the preserved stomach contents of a Diamantinasaurus, nicknamed Judy. The find, including fossilised plants and dinosaur skin, drew international attention.
"These discoveries entice people to visit and remind them that world-class science happens here too," he said.
The buzz around a new Jurassic Park movie in cinemas has also been a boost: "It brings a wave of curiosity. As the museum grows and more fossils go on display, those numbers will keep rising".
After his year as Australia's Local Hero, Mr Elliott finds conversations for the museum easier to start, potential partners more eager to listen and locals in Winton feeling proud.
"It means I can walk into a meeting and people know the museum and what we stand for," he said. "That credibility is invaluable for a not-for-profit organisation.
"It's about more than the museum, it's about showing that you can achieve big things no matter where you are, as long as you've got determination and community support."
Mr Elliott urges Australians to think about the "extraordinary people all around us" for the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards.
"The volunteer who shows up rain or shine, the teacher who goes above and beyond, the neighbour who's always helping others," he said.
"They don't ask for attention, but their efforts change lives."
The act of nominating someone was powerful: "That recognition can give people the push to keep going. It also inspires others to step up and make a difference.
"When you're chosen, you carry the weight of all the people out there doing good who haven't been recognised yet. You feel like you've got to use the platform to highlight them too".
Who inspires you? Who should be our next Australian of the Year? If you see them or hear about them, nominate them before July 31 for the 2026 awards at australianoftheyear.org.au.
David Elliott still remembers the moment he heard his name read out at the Australian of the Year Awards in Canberra last year.
Surrounded by people whose stories left him humbled, the executive chairman of the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum at Winton, Queensland, didn't expect to be called to the stage.
"I was sitting there thinking about all the incredible Australians in the room," Mr Elliott said.
"I had already decided it wasn't going to be me. So when my name came up as Australia's Local Hero for 2024, I think I just sat there for a second, stunned. It took a little while to sink in."
For Mr Elliott, who has spent more than two decades unearthing dinosaurs in Queensland's red soil, the recognition wasn't about personal glory. It was about the team, the community and the idea that extraordinary things can grow from ordinary people with big dreams.
With nominations for the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards closing on July 31, he hopes Australians will look closer at the unsung heroes in their own lives.
Being named Australia's Local Hero in 2024 had created opportunities for the museum, Mr Elliott said.
"Now when I go to talk to people, they know who you are and what you're doing. That credibility is really important. Before, a lot of them hadn't heard of us."
While the museum already had strong partnerships in scientific circles, the award expanded its profile to the the broader public.
"We were well known among researchers and universities, but not as much outside that world.
"This recognition has helped change that. Recognition inspires people to keep going and often motivates others around them. It's not just about one person, it's about lifting a whole community."
Out in Winton, a small town in Queensland's rugged heart, the pace of life has picked up since the award. Meetings, fossil digs and pushing forward a vision that began at his kitchen table with wife Judy more than 20 years ago has become all-consuming.
This year, much of his energy is going into an ambitious plan for an Australian natural history museum.
"We want to go beyond dinosaurs," Mr Elliott said. "This is about Australia's entire natural history, animals, plants, landscapes. It's our story, and what we're building now will inspire kids in 50 or 100 years."
The groundbreaking dinosaur work continues. In June, the museum made global headlines with a world first: discovery of the preserved stomach contents of a Diamantinasaurus, nicknamed Judy. The find, including fossilised plants and dinosaur skin, drew international attention.
"These discoveries entice people to visit and remind them that world-class science happens here too," he said.
The buzz around a new Jurassic Park movie in cinemas has also been a boost: "It brings a wave of curiosity. As the museum grows and more fossils go on display, those numbers will keep rising".
After his year as Australia's Local Hero, Mr Elliott finds conversations for the museum easier to start, potential partners more eager to listen and locals in Winton feeling proud.
"It means I can walk into a meeting and people know the museum and what we stand for," he said. "That credibility is invaluable for a not-for-profit organisation.
"It's about more than the museum, it's about showing that you can achieve big things no matter where you are, as long as you've got determination and community support."
Mr Elliott urges Australians to think about the "extraordinary people all around us" for the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards.
"The volunteer who shows up rain or shine, the teacher who goes above and beyond, the neighbour who's always helping others," he said.
"They don't ask for attention, but their efforts change lives."
The act of nominating someone was powerful: "That recognition can give people the push to keep going. It also inspires others to step up and make a difference.
"When you're chosen, you carry the weight of all the people out there doing good who haven't been recognised yet. You feel like you've got to use the platform to highlight them too".
Who inspires you? Who should be our next Australian of the Year? If you see them or hear about them, nominate them before July 31 for the 2026 awards at australianoftheyear.org.au.
David Elliott still remembers the moment he heard his name read out at the Australian of the Year Awards in Canberra last year.
Surrounded by people whose stories left him humbled, the executive chairman of the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum at Winton, Queensland, didn't expect to be called to the stage.
"I was sitting there thinking about all the incredible Australians in the room," Mr Elliott said.
"I had already decided it wasn't going to be me. So when my name came up as Australia's Local Hero for 2024, I think I just sat there for a second, stunned. It took a little while to sink in."
For Mr Elliott, who has spent more than two decades unearthing dinosaurs in Queensland's red soil, the recognition wasn't about personal glory. It was about the team, the community and the idea that extraordinary things can grow from ordinary people with big dreams.
With nominations for the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards closing on July 31, he hopes Australians will look closer at the unsung heroes in their own lives.
Being named Australia's Local Hero in 2024 had created opportunities for the museum, Mr Elliott said.
"Now when I go to talk to people, they know who you are and what you're doing. That credibility is really important. Before, a lot of them hadn't heard of us."
While the museum already had strong partnerships in scientific circles, the award expanded its profile to the the broader public.
"We were well known among researchers and universities, but not as much outside that world.
"This recognition has helped change that. Recognition inspires people to keep going and often motivates others around them. It's not just about one person, it's about lifting a whole community."
Out in Winton, a small town in Queensland's rugged heart, the pace of life has picked up since the award. Meetings, fossil digs and pushing forward a vision that began at his kitchen table with wife Judy more than 20 years ago has become all-consuming.
This year, much of his energy is going into an ambitious plan for an Australian natural history museum.
"We want to go beyond dinosaurs," Mr Elliott said. "This is about Australia's entire natural history, animals, plants, landscapes. It's our story, and what we're building now will inspire kids in 50 or 100 years."
The groundbreaking dinosaur work continues. In June, the museum made global headlines with a world first: discovery of the preserved stomach contents of a Diamantinasaurus, nicknamed Judy. The find, including fossilised plants and dinosaur skin, drew international attention.
"These discoveries entice people to visit and remind them that world-class science happens here too," he said.
The buzz around a new Jurassic Park movie in cinemas has also been a boost: "It brings a wave of curiosity. As the museum grows and more fossils go on display, those numbers will keep rising".
After his year as Australia's Local Hero, Mr Elliott finds conversations for the museum easier to start, potential partners more eager to listen and locals in Winton feeling proud.
"It means I can walk into a meeting and people know the museum and what we stand for," he said. "That credibility is invaluable for a not-for-profit organisation.
"It's about more than the museum, it's about showing that you can achieve big things no matter where you are, as long as you've got determination and community support."
Mr Elliott urges Australians to think about the "extraordinary people all around us" for the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards.
"The volunteer who shows up rain or shine, the teacher who goes above and beyond, the neighbour who's always helping others," he said.
"They don't ask for attention, but their efforts change lives."
The act of nominating someone was powerful: "That recognition can give people the push to keep going. It also inspires others to step up and make a difference.
"When you're chosen, you carry the weight of all the people out there doing good who haven't been recognised yet. You feel like you've got to use the platform to highlight them too".
Who inspires you? Who should be our next Australian of the Year? If you see them or hear about them, nominate them before July 31 for the 2026 awards at australianoftheyear.org.au.
David Elliott still remembers the moment he heard his name read out at the Australian of the Year Awards in Canberra last year.
Surrounded by people whose stories left him humbled, the executive chairman of the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum at Winton, Queensland, didn't expect to be called to the stage.
"I was sitting there thinking about all the incredible Australians in the room," Mr Elliott said.
"I had already decided it wasn't going to be me. So when my name came up as Australia's Local Hero for 2024, I think I just sat there for a second, stunned. It took a little while to sink in."
For Mr Elliott, who has spent more than two decades unearthing dinosaurs in Queensland's red soil, the recognition wasn't about personal glory. It was about the team, the community and the idea that extraordinary things can grow from ordinary people with big dreams.
With nominations for the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards closing on July 31, he hopes Australians will look closer at the unsung heroes in their own lives.
Being named Australia's Local Hero in 2024 had created opportunities for the museum, Mr Elliott said.
"Now when I go to talk to people, they know who you are and what you're doing. That credibility is really important. Before, a lot of them hadn't heard of us."
While the museum already had strong partnerships in scientific circles, the award expanded its profile to the the broader public.
"We were well known among researchers and universities, but not as much outside that world.
"This recognition has helped change that. Recognition inspires people to keep going and often motivates others around them. It's not just about one person, it's about lifting a whole community."
Out in Winton, a small town in Queensland's rugged heart, the pace of life has picked up since the award. Meetings, fossil digs and pushing forward a vision that began at his kitchen table with wife Judy more than 20 years ago has become all-consuming.
This year, much of his energy is going into an ambitious plan for an Australian natural history museum.
"We want to go beyond dinosaurs," Mr Elliott said. "This is about Australia's entire natural history, animals, plants, landscapes. It's our story, and what we're building now will inspire kids in 50 or 100 years."
The groundbreaking dinosaur work continues. In June, the museum made global headlines with a world first: discovery of the preserved stomach contents of a Diamantinasaurus, nicknamed Judy. The find, including fossilised plants and dinosaur skin, drew international attention.
"These discoveries entice people to visit and remind them that world-class science happens here too," he said.
The buzz around a new Jurassic Park movie in cinemas has also been a boost: "It brings a wave of curiosity. As the museum grows and more fossils go on display, those numbers will keep rising".
After his year as Australia's Local Hero, Mr Elliott finds conversations for the museum easier to start, potential partners more eager to listen and locals in Winton feeling proud.
"It means I can walk into a meeting and people know the museum and what we stand for," he said. "That credibility is invaluable for a not-for-profit organisation.
"It's about more than the museum, it's about showing that you can achieve big things no matter where you are, as long as you've got determination and community support."
Mr Elliott urges Australians to think about the "extraordinary people all around us" for the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards.
"The volunteer who shows up rain or shine, the teacher who goes above and beyond, the neighbour who's always helping others," he said.
"They don't ask for attention, but their efforts change lives."
The act of nominating someone was powerful: "That recognition can give people the push to keep going. It also inspires others to step up and make a difference.
"When you're chosen, you carry the weight of all the people out there doing good who haven't been recognised yet. You feel like you've got to use the platform to highlight them too".
Who inspires you? Who should be our next Australian of the Year? If you see them or hear about them, nominate them before July 31 for the 2026 awards at australianoftheyear.org.au.