Australian of the Year finalist Deborra-Lee Furness. Picture: Toby Zerna Source: News Corp Australia

THE Australian of the Year finalists have met Prime Minister Tony Abbott before a celebratory lunch as the nation waits to find out who will be awarded the top honour.

Victorian Rosie Batty, who shot to prominence for her stand against domestic violence after the horrific murder of her son Luke last February, is one of the favourites for the award.

Ms Batty will face competition from movie star Hugh Jackman’s wife Deborra-Lee Furness, who has been nominated for her work as an adoption advocate.

Before the lunch Ms Batty said: “It is special but quite overwhelming. I guess what I tapped into was a strength I’ve always had — to be articulate, to stand up f or myself and what I believe.

The reason I’m here is about Luke.”

Ms Batty said she intends to keep fighting for victims of family violence.

“If I do become Australian of the Year I would just really keep pushing,” she said.

“I would do a lot more because obviously this year I wasn’t planning to be in the place I am, so now it’s being in this place, the contacts, the support the work I’ve already started ... I want to build on it and make things happen.

Rosie Batty has been nominated for Australian of the Year. Picture: Andrew Batsch

“Every area of society is affected (by domestic violence). One in three women, one woman a week is killed and one in four children.

“I keep repeating those statistics because I think we all should know them. It is about keeping that awareness going.”

Mr Abbott paid tribute to the nominees.

“You are amongst our country’s finest, you represent Australia and Australians at their best,” he said.

“I know that these awards don’t always sit easily with you because you are not naturally people who seek the limelight.

“You don’t naturally like to be singled out or put on a pedestal but you have lived for others. “You have lived in the service of others and it is right that we should honour you.”

After morning tea with Mr Abbott, the finalists went to The National Gallery for a lunch in which they will hear from 2014 Australian of the Year Adam Goodes.

The main event will get under way on the lawn in front of Parliament House at 5pm, with the Australian of the Year 2015 expected to be crowned at 6.30pm.

FINALISTS:

Victoria

Rosie Batty - domestic violence campaigner

NSW

Deborra-Lee Furness - child advocate and adoption campaigner

Queensland

Hetty Johnston AM - child protection activist

WA

Professor Lyn Beazley AO - scientist

SA

Dr Gill Hicks MBE - peace campaigner

Tasmania

Rodney Croome AM - equality activist

ACT

Glenn Keys - business and philanthropic leader

NT

Rosalie Kunoth-Monks OAM - humanitarian