Maddison O’Gradey-Lee
Science/Environment
NSW Young Australian of the Year 2025
Maddison O’Gradey-Lee aims to improve the measurement of mental ill-health for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people through her PhD research.
In 2020, Maddison co-founded the Orygen Global Youth Mental Health Fellowship, a six-month program providing youth advocates with support, mentorship and education to empower global projects.. Together with Orygen Global, Maddison facilitated one of the largest global youth consultations on mental health.
Maddison has created a global community with over 21,000 young people who have been reached through the impact of the program.
In 2022 Maddison was the first Australian to win the prestigious 'Diana Award'. Named in the memory of Diana, Princess of Wales, this is the most prestigious accolade a young person under 25 years can receive for their social action or humanitarian work. In 2025 she was awarded the NSW Young Australian of the Year.