Mother of boy murdered by dad at cricket training named Australian of the Year

Victorian family violence campaigner Rosie Batty has been named Australian of the Year. Photo / AAP

Rosie Batty says she is thrilled to be named Australian of the Year, and will use the high profile position to expose and end domestic violence across the country.

The Victorian, whose 11-year-old son Luke was murdered by his father at cricket training almost a year ago, was named Australian of the Year 2015 on Sunday, in recognition of her campaigning against domestic violence in spite of overwhelming personal grief.

Today, Ms Batty said the award gave her an opportunity to continue her work on family violence.

"I'm thrilled," Ms Batty told Network Seven,

"I just feel there's a huge amount of strength in all of us ... I think you choose to do things that are going to make you feel better and inspire you."

Her message to victims of domestic violence was: "You are not to blame".

"We need to put our systems and processes in place so that you can trust support from areas that you should be able to rely on," Ms Batty added.

After receiving her award on Sunday, Ms Batty said she would continue to expose family violence and to ensure that victims received the respect, support and safety they deserved.

Speaking on the lawns of Parliament House she paid special tribute to her son Luke, calling him her "little man".

"You did not die in vain and will not be forgotten. You are beside me on this journey," she said.

Ms Batty, 52, beat seven other finalists including Deborra-Lee Furness, the wife of actor Hugh Jackman, who was nominated for her work as an adoption advocate.

For the first time in the award's 55-year history, all four honours went to women.

- AAP