Australian of the Year

At age 14, Ava Costa was a rising star on Australia’s National Gymnastics Team preparing for the 2024 Olympics. Then, a catastrophic spinal cord injury in 2023 changed her life. Now aged 18, Ava refuses to let quadriplegia define her future and is one of Australia’s most inspiring young leaders. 

After experiencing first-hand the difficulty families face in sourcing essential mobility equipment, Ava and her family established the Sharing Shed Foundation. The Sharing Shed is a volunteer‑run charity connecting donated disability and medical equipment with people who urgently need it. The charity has become a trusted referral pathway for hospitals, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and community organisations. Patients can leave hospital sooner thanks to the Sharing Shed’s work in providing mobility equipment often faster than traditional pathways can.  

Ava has transformed personal loss into a force for enduring social impact. Already, more than 200 families have been supported through her efforts.