When Hannah Costello and Vanessa Brettell were named 2025 Australia’s Local Heroes, they didn’t just receive recognition – they gained a powerful platform to amplify their life-changing work at Café Stepping Stone. Now, they’re using that platform to champion other extraordinary Australians who deserve the same opportunity.

The dynamic duo behind Canberra’s beloved social enterprise café have a simple but urgent message: don’t let the amazing people in your community go unnoticed. With nominations for the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards closing on 31 July, Hannah and Vanessa are calling on all of us to speak up for those quiet achievers who are making Australia better, one act of kindness at a time.

We all know someone who makes our world a little brighter, that person who quietly transforms lives, builds stronger communities, or creates opportunities where none existed before. Right now, you have the chance to give them the recognition they truly deserve.

That’s the passionate message from Hannah Costello and Vanessa Brettell, Canberra’s own 2025 Australia’s Local Heroes, who are urging all of us to step up and nominate someone deserving for the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards.

A personal plea from our Local Heroes

This week at Café Stepping Stone in Strathnairn, Hannah and Vanessa joined fellow 2025 award recipients to share why your nominations matter so much. Having experienced firsthand the transformative power of recognition, they’re determined to ensure other extraordinary Australians don’t go unnoticed.

“We know there are incredible people doing amazing work in every community across Australia,” says Hannah. “The awards gave us a platform to amplify our impact, and we want that for others too.”

Vanessa adds: “It’s not just about the recognition, though that’s wonderful. It’s about the doors that open, the conversations that start, and the support that flows when people’s work is celebrated nationally.”

The women behind the mission

If you haven’t met Hannah and Vanessa yet, you’re missing out on two of Canberra’s most inspiring changemakers. At just 31 and 32, these remarkable women have created something genuinely special with Café Stepping Stone – a social enterprise that’s transforming lives one cup of coffee at a time.

Their café isn’t just serving exceptional vegetarian food and coffee; it’s operating as a powerful force for social change. Hannah and Vanessa focus on employing women facing significant barriers to employment, particularly those from migrant and refugee backgrounds who might struggle with limited English, minimal employment history, or the challenges of being sole income earners in their households.

Through partnerships with registered training organisations, every employee gains access to accredited training that sets them up for long-term career success. It’s a holistic approach that goes far beyond just providing employment.

Who will you nominate? 

Inspired by Hannah and Vanessa’s call to action? Nominating someone couldn’t be easier. Head to australianoftheyear.org.au and follow the straightforward steps to submit your nomination. The process takes just a few minutes, but the impact could last a lifetime.

From public nominations, each state and territory will announce recipients in each category, who then become national finalists for the 2026 awards to be announced on 25 January 2026 in Canberra.

Feeling inspired? Visit Hannah and Vanessa at Café Stepping Stone, Strathnairn Arts Centre, Gullifer Street, Strathanirn, and see their award-winning work firsthand. You’ll enjoy excellent food and coffee while witnessing the kind of community-changing impact that makes people worthy of national recognition.