Rural mothers' advocate Tassie Australian of the Year

A former television journalist who created the country's first online rural mothers' group program has been named 2024 Australian of the Year for Tasmania.

Stephanie Trethewey founded the charity Motherland four years ago along with a podcast to help mums on the land better connect.

In 2021, Motherland expanded to a six-week online program which now has 20 virtual villages and supports more than 200 rural women.

Mrs Trethewey, a mother-of-two, was presented with the award in Hobart on Friday night and is in the running to be crowned Australian of the Year on January 25.

Ms Trethewey experienced crippling isolation when she moved from Melbourne to a farm in Tasmania with her husband and first baby.

"It can be a perfect storm," she told AAP after winning the AgriFutures Rural Women's Award in 2022.

"I talked to rural women and realised there are so many things that go unspoken, so many struggles.

"But we need to talk about it and break those taboos and make everyone feel less alone."

Reverend James Colville AM, the founder of Colony 47, was named Tasmania's Senior Australian of the Year.

Rev Colville opened the charity, which delivers programs for people in need particularly in relation to housing, in 1973.

It has helped more than 50,000 households with bond or rental assistance, 7000 young people with early intervention support and 17,500 young people with education and employment.

Indigenous actor, musician and activist Naarah was Tasmania's Young Australian of the Year.

The 26-year-old Gija woman, who played a supporting role in the series Deadloch, uses social media to spark conversations about Indigenous identity, culture and representation.

She has worked with schools in the Northern Territory on her mission to ensure children grow up seeing a diverse entertainment industry.

Tasmania's Local Hero was Clair Harris, who founded Tassie Mums which provides clothing bundles, nappies, activity packs, prams and car seats to children.

Since a humble beginning at a kitchen table in 2018, the charity helps more than 1800 kids each year.

Last year, Tassie Mums' winter drive collected more than 800 coats and vests and 600 pairs of pyjamas to help children stay warm.

All of the Tasmanian winners are in the running for respective national crowns.