5 Aussies Who Prove How Great Australia Is

Come say hello and meet a wide range of Aussies from all corners of this giant continent in the Pacific. And see how these Aussies prove that Australia isn't just pretty to look at — it's filled with some truly amazing, wonderful people.

1. Matt Wright: Australia's Own Extreme Adventurer and Crocodile Expert

Matt Wright / Via mattwright.com.au

You could say Matt Wright is the classic Aussie bloke. He runs his own tourism operation, Outback Floatplane Adventures. And when not doing that, he's wrestling crocodiles!

But he's not wrestling them for fun: "I want to show everyone how animals and humans can live in harmony. Crocodiles need protecting just as much as humans need protection from crocodiles. Animals inspire me, and protecting them inspires me and drives me even more." What a legend.

2. Hazem Sedda: Australia's Friendliest Store Owner

Hazem Sedda / Via Instagram: @https://www.instagram.com/redfern_convenience_store/?hl=en

There's friendly service, and then there's Hazem. Not only does he run a convenience store in one of the busiest cities in Australia, but he runs one of the most interesting Instagram accounts too. He's always greeting customers with a huge smile and greeting.

"Being able to wake up every day and go to work to see my beautiful customers and putting a smile on their faces really helps me going." Going viral by being the friendliest and most sincere shop owner — how good is that?

3. Dr. Tonia Cochran: Australia's Kindest Specialist Guide and Tour Leader

Dr. Tonia Cochran / Via inalanaturetours.com.au

Dr. Tonia Cochran lives in Tasmania and runs tours showing people the amazing nature that makes up Australia. She also works really hard to ensure injured or vulnerable animals get back out there in the wild.

"A main inspiration is seeing the fruits of my labour: putting up a nesting box and finding a pair of endangered birds breeding in it; hand-rearing baby wildlife, releasing them ‘to the wild,’ and seeing them return with babies of their own or mixing with wild animals of their kind — knowing you have given them a second chance." Nursing cute animals back to health — what's not to love about that?

4. Troy West: Australia's Most Die-Hard Sports Fan

Australian sports fans are some of the most passionate in the world. But then there's Catman. Also known as Troy West, when not dressing up at every AFL (Aussie rules) game to show his love for his team, the Geelong Cats, he also volunteers at hospitals helping the sick and elderly.

“The inspiration that drives me is not letting haters and negative people submit me into looking like an everyday person. My partner gives me inspiration and strength too, and the joy on young kids' faces when they get a photo with me inspires me greatly too.” Troy aka "Catman" is a true trooper and a great character.

5. Lauren Jones: Penguin Fashionista and Penguin Foundation Officer

Lauren Jones / Via penguinfoundation.org.au

Lauren Jones helps run the Penguin Foundation, where they help penguins! You wouldn't think penguins in Australia would need jumpers. Well, they do — to protect them from picking their feathers in certain situations.

Lauren's very passionate about the volunteers who help too: "Thousands of knitters have created jumpers for Knits for Nature, and all have special stories to share. Two that come to mind are those of knitter the late Mr Alfred Date, who was knitting penguin jumpers at 105 years of age, and Ms Merle Davenport, who in her nineties has knitted over 1,000 jumpers for Phillip Island’s little penguins." Who wouldn't want a little penguin jumper?!

To find out how you can work and live alongside some awesome Aussies yourself, head to Aussie News Today by Australia.com.