Within the regal and grandiose splendour of Government House, Dr Stevenson described his work as a "poo-ologist".

It was the type of acceptance speech that makes you proud to be an Australian.

The army brass band had just played the regal salute as hundreds of people stood on the huon pine floor, the notes echoing around the vaulted ceiling and three impressive chandeliers.

Among the pomp and ceremony, Dr Stevenson talked about dung beetles and earth worms.

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Anyone who has met the 74-year-old or watched his videos will know he is a character of great humour and enthusiasm.

His effusiveness is contagious.

That someone who goes by the alter ego Dr Spluttergrunt when talking to schoolchildren gets an award from the Queen's representative is quintessentially Australian.

There was warmth, humour, self-deprecation with a tinge of anti-authoritarianism but humility and honour too.

But his work is not all poo jokes.

For more than 30 years, Dr Stevenson has promoted healthy soils in Tasmania, in particular the role of dung beetles and earthworms in soil management.

Since 1993, he has been a Landcare volunteer and managed 27 projects along the North-West Coast, including willow removal, riverside fencing, and managing soil slippage. He attracted almost $1.5 million in grants and has written several books showcasing his expertise.

Dr Stevenson was among a tremendous group of Tasmanian winners divided into four categories: Australian of the Year, Local Hero, Young Australian of the Year and Senior Australian of the Year.

The Tasmanian Australian of the Year was Dr Jess Melbourne-Thomas, a marine research scientist. The 38-year-old has a great story to tell too. Alongside her brother, she grew up exploring Tasmania's spectacular wilderness.

Both became Rhodes Scholar and Dr Melbourne-Thomas became an international research scientist with the Australian Antarctic Division and now with CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere.

She is a passionate advocate for female leadership in science and set up Homeward Bound project, which took almost 80 female scientists on an Antarctic journey.

Finalists in the Tasmania Australian of the Year were osteoarthritis researcher Associate Professor Dawn Aitken, plastic pollution researcher Dr Britta Denise Hardesty and anti-slavery advocate Melody Towns.

Finalists in the Tasmania Senior Australian of the Year were artist and designer Lola Greeno, film television pioneer Dorothy Hallam and sailor and youth mentor Sarah Parry.

The Tasmanian Young Australian of the Year was social justice advocate Will Smith and finalists were soccer coach and mental health advocate Matthew Etherington, First Nations advocate Madeline Wells and human rights activist Grace Williams.

The Tasmania Local Hero winner was men's health advocate Thomas Windsor.and finalists were community choir leader Betsy Hanson, composer and musical director Simon Reade, and cricket club president Dr Charles Rose.

As Australia Day nears the debate will turn to the date and people from both sides will man the barricades. Reasoned debate in the middleground will be drowned by shouting from both sides.

In among that noise, it is worth remembering and focussing on the stories of Tasmania's finalists.

Each has a compelling and inspiring story and would have been a worthy winner.

That is what makes these awards so tremendous - they are diverse but they are us.

We all know people who are doing great things in our community that would fit in many of the four categories.

So start thinking about who you might want to nominate for an award and why.

I look forward to hearing their acceptance speeches.