‘I was rattled by it all’: Daniel Bartholomaeus on becoming  ACT Young Australian of the Year

Daniel Bartholomaeus sat with his hands pressed tightly over his mouth, his eyes wide with disbelief, sheer shock and excitement radiating. He had just heard his name announced as the 2025 ACT Young Australian of the Year. 

Minutes before, Daniel had sat in the audience, taking in the experience.  

“They were playing this really dramatic, motivational music,” he recalls with a laugh. “I was just sitting there, listening, thinking it’s probably going to be the guy next to me. His story was so inspiring, I was sure he’d win.” 

When the announcement came, it hit him like a bolt of lightning.  

“I didn’t know what to do,” he says. “Should I stand up? Should I stay seated? Eventually, I got up and walked to the stage.”  

What followed was a blur of handshakes and hugs – first from the government minister presenting the award, then from the previous winner, whose speech had deeply resonated with Daniel.  

“I was so rattled by it all, I didn’t even know what was happening.” 

A growing crisis among Australians with disabilities

Daniel, who has autism and ADHD, uses his art to express himself and to bridge the gap between neurotypical and neurodivergent individuals. He mentors young people through initiatives including ‘The With Friends Initiative’, a social group for neurodivergent youth. He has previously been awarded the Young Canberra Citizen of the Year award for Arts and Multimedia and the ACT Chief Minister’s Inclusion Award for Emerging Young Leader. 

“I want to help people avoid the kind of struggles I faced and find the support they need sooner.” 

According to the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey, individuals with disabilities are nearly twice as likely to experience loneliness compared to their non-disabled peers – a disparity that has persisted for almost two decades. 

The consequences of this social isolation are profound. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) has linked loneliness to increased psychological distress and reduced quality of life. Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) shows that people with disabilities consistently report lower life satisfaction, reflecting the far-reaching impact of these issues. 

These statistics highlight an urgent need for strategies to dismantle systemic barriers, foster social connections and address mental health disparities within this vulnerable population. 

Daniel’s journey

For Daniel, this crisis isn’t just a statistic – it’s a lived reality.  

During his first year at university, he faced a severe bout of depression that forced him to take a break. When he returned to continue his Bachelor of Visual Arts degree at The Australian National University (ANU), the School of Art & Design provided crucial support, such as friendly check-in from academics, helping him with his confidence and sense of belonging. 

Motivated by his own struggles, Daniel now works to create spaces of connection and support for others, particularly young people who feel a sense of otherness. As a mentor with the Daydream Machine, a role he took on after participating in the program himself, Daniel has been instrumental in community projects. He auctioned his artworks at charity galas for SiTara’s Story, raising $2,000 for one of his pencil drawings – an illustration of a horse. 

He has recorded podcasts for the United Nations Information Centre, served as a Youth Ambassador for the UN and currently volunteers at Sensory Sundays at the National Gallery of Australia, a program making art more accessible to neurodivergent individuals. 

“Being able to use what I’ve gone through to help others is so important to me,” Daniel says. “I want to help people avoid the kind of struggles I faced and find the support they need sooner. 

“I love being able to make kids smile, to give them my time and to hear their stories. It’s amazing how small gestures can make such a big difference.” 

Making art

A path forward

The ACT Young Australian of the Year Award is recognition of Daniel’s dedication to making the world a more inclusive place, one brushstroke, one conversation and one friendship at a time.

As he looks back on that surreal moment – the cheers of the audience, the hugs, the overwhelming flood of emotions – Daniel acknowledges it still feels like a dream. But the photo, that brilliant snapshot of shock and joy, tells him it was real.

And for the young artist who never expected his name to be called, it’s only the beginning.

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Editors note: The Australian of the Year Awards ceremony will be held on 25 January 2025. We wish Daniel the best of luck ahead of the event. The full list of nominees is available here.