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

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

Sydney Morning Herald
12 minutes ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
More beauty than beast in new production at Perth's Crown Theatre
There was more beauty than beast represented in the Perth personalities who adorned the red carpet for Saturday's Beauty and the Beast premiere at Crown Theatre – and the same could be said for the show. At the final opening for a national tour attended so far by 1.2 million Australians, anticipation and nostalgia built right from the prologue voiced by Angela Lansbury (Miss Potts in the original Disney animated feature) and the opening glimpses of a jaw-dropping set that required 23 trucks to get to Perth and a team of 70 to unload them across thousands of hours. Faithfulness to the original continued; there is no danger of a modern reimagining in this saccharine-sweet production, which despite the vocal prowess of Belle (Perth-born Shubshri Kandiah) and the Beast (Brendan Xavier) unfortunately is slightly lacking in truly memorable numbers in the context of a 2.5-hour run time. The obvious exceptions are of course Be Our Guest, a showstopping number bringing all the production's technical might including projected backdrops of dancers' onstage patterns, milked to the max through an extended tap finale with 2400 lights; Belle, which shows off a French provincial town created with 30 tonnes of flying scenery and 50 tonnes of automation and staging; and Beauty and the Beast, simply and touchingly rendered by Jayde Westaby as Mrs Potts. The character of Gaston has more prominence than in the film and the charismatic Jackson Head brings excellent comedic value to it, with a ridiculous Jim Carrey vibe. To the extent that the gent on one side mentioned the resemblance at interval and the gent on the other was unable to prevent himself Googling Jim Carrey pictures during the performance, distracting us somewhat from Olivier Award nominee Matt West's excellent choreography displayed to full effect in Gaston (fun fact, the song's cast clink mugs 800-plus times). Despite being centred around the love story of Belle and the Beast the production's real emotional punch somehow comes not from them or even the relationship between Belle and father Maurice (Perth-raised Rodney Dobson) but from the enchanted castle objects whose attachment to humanity is, like the Beast's, dropping away with each petal from the magic rose. Lumiere (Rohan Browne), Cogsworth (Gareth Jacobs), Mrs Potts and Madame the wardrobe (Alana Tranter) are the heart of the show, providing pathos as well as laughs and magic (Lumiere's flames are real; Mrs Potts' spout smokes; Tranter's squeals are pitch-perfect comedy). Eason Ma was sweet as Chip the cup, head inserted into the side of the cup, body cleverly concealed in the stage furniture, though truth be told the disembodied head was at times striking me as a little on the weird side of cute. Particularly next to the larger-than-life Gaston, clearly an audience favourite, the Beast is somewhat disadvantaged. His role swings from suddenly roaring too loud and upsetting the other characters, to playing the fool for laughs, lacking the dark, conflicted tragedy this role could otherwise represent. Perhaps more height and bulk in the costuming would have made him a more imposing figure, but perhaps also would more attention given to parts of the show that feel rushed.

The Age
12 minutes ago
- The Age
Where was Helen Reddy's I am Woman on the Hottest 100?
I was lucky enough to enjoy Saturday's journey through Australian music, with two of my grown-up children on a road trip to the Blue Mountains. To celebrate 50 years of being on air, Triple J invited listeners to vote on the 10 best Australian songs. After 2.65 million people voted, including yours truly, the result was a nostalgic playlist, The Hottest 100 Australian Songs. As we drove, it stirred fond memories of their childhood and my youth. After lunch, as number 56, Jimmy Barnes' Working Class Man played, my daughter showed me an Instagram reel shared by @sherelmoodyfemicidewatch. It was footage of well-known Australian rap artist, Fortay, who has decided to try his hand at stand-up comedy. The reel was from a recent performance at Zhivago nightclub in Adelaide, where he addressed any feminists who might be in the audience: 'If the power grid goes down, you bitches are in trouble. You better start behaving yourself. Stop protesting. Stop trying to cancel my concerts. 'Cause once the power grids go down … 'cause I tell you what…' At this point the men in the audience jollied him along. 'Fortay's comin round!' one called out. Encouraged, Fortay continued: 'The men in this crowd are gonna be doin' what we want with you.' I typed ferociously in the comment section, trying to be concise and powerful, but knowing, in my escalating anger, that I was a voice in the wilderness. Because, in reality, no one is going to cancel Fortay. His threats of violence will continue to be condoned and this will help to sustain a culture that kills one woman a week in our country. How do I know Fortay will not be cancelled? My life spans the second and third waves of feminism and is taking me into the next, but misogyny does not die; it just reinvents itself. Now it looks like a tattooed rapper with street cred, or a YouTuber, or an angry incel, or a 'Christian' American president. After the wave of anger subsided, we continued to enjoy the afternoon of music nostalgia, counting down towards the top 10: the best ever, most loved, most powerful, most iconic Australian songs. So far, we'd heard anthems like Treaty by Yothu Yindi at number 36, a still unfulfilled promise that resonates with as much relevance as ever. I was surprised that we had not yet heard Helen Reddy's feminist anthem, I Am Woman, which became a soundtrack to the women's liberation movement worldwide, and whose lyrics – 'Hear me roar' – have been part of the vernacular for female empowerment for more than 50 years. But I assumed its significance would be satisfyingly recognised in the top 10. The bangers kept coming: Powderfinger, the Angels and AC/DC. Paul Kelly made a well-deserved appearance at No. 9 and Cold Chisel at numbers 8 and 7! Missy Higgins and The Veronicas edged in at 4 and 3, and finally Hilltop Hoods' Nosebleed Section at No. 2 and INXS's Never Tear us Apart at No. 1. Great songs. But still no Helen Reddy. It was over, and I Am Woman was not listed as even one of the best 100 Australian songs. It was a democratic process, and I am not disputing the results, but it made me wonder why our feminist anthem was overlooked. 'I am woman, hear me roar'. These words have become idiomatic in the English language, emblematic of equality, resistance, of breaking down patriarchal structures that disempower women. It would seem that a war cry is needed more now than ever when misogyny is rearing its ugly head through legitimised channels.

The Age
12 minutes ago
- The Age
More beauty than beast in new production at Perth's Crown Theatre
There was more beauty than beast represented in the Perth personalities who adorned the red carpet for Saturday's Beauty and the Beast premiere at Crown Theatre – and the same could be said for the show. At the final opening for a national tour attended so far by 1.2 million Australians, anticipation and nostalgia built right from the prologue voiced by Angela Lansbury (Miss Potts in the original Disney animated feature) and the opening glimpses of a jaw-dropping set that required 23 trucks to get to Perth and a team of 70 to unload them across thousands of hours. Faithfulness to the original continued; there is no danger of a modern reimagining in this saccharine-sweet production, which despite the vocal prowess of Belle (Perth-born Shubshri Kandiah) and the Beast (Brendan Xavier) unfortunately is slightly lacking in truly memorable numbers in the context of a 2.5-hour run time. The obvious exceptions are of course Be Our Guest, a showstopping number bringing all the production's technical might including projected backdrops of dancers' onstage patterns, milked to the max through an extended tap finale with 2400 lights; Belle, which shows off a French provincial town created with 30 tonnes of flying scenery and 50 tonnes of automation and staging; and Beauty and the Beast, simply and touchingly rendered by Jayde Westaby as Mrs Potts. The character of Gaston has more prominence than in the film and the charismatic Jackson Head brings excellent comedic value to it, with a ridiculous Jim Carrey vibe. To the extent that the gent on one side mentioned the resemblance at interval and the gent on the other was unable to prevent himself Googling Jim Carrey pictures during the performance, distracting us somewhat from Olivier Award nominee Matt West's excellent choreography displayed to full effect in Gaston (fun fact, the song's cast clink mugs 800-plus times). Despite being centred around the love story of Belle and the Beast the production's real emotional punch somehow comes not from them or even the relationship between Belle and father Maurice (Perth-raised Rodney Dobson) but from the enchanted castle objects whose attachment to humanity is, like the Beast's, dropping away with each petal from the magic rose. Lumiere (Rohan Browne), Cogsworth (Gareth Jacobs), Mrs Potts and Madame the wardrobe (Alana Tranter) are the heart of the show, providing pathos as well as laughs and magic (Lumiere's flames are real; Mrs Potts' spout smokes; Tranter's squeals are pitch-perfect comedy). Eason Ma was sweet as Chip the cup, head inserted into the side of the cup, body cleverly concealed in the stage furniture, though truth be told the disembodied head was at times striking me as a little on the weird side of cute. Particularly next to the larger-than-life Gaston, clearly an audience favourite, the Beast is somewhat disadvantaged. His role swings from suddenly roaring too loud and upsetting the other characters, to playing the fool for laughs, lacking the dark, conflicted tragedy this role could otherwise represent. Perhaps more height and bulk in the costuming would have made him a more imposing figure, but perhaps also would more attention given to parts of the show that feel rushed.