Bruce and Denise Morcombe have been named Queensland's nomination for the 2012 Australian of the Year award for their child protection work.

The parents of Sunshine Coast schoolboy Daniel Morcombe were presented with the award last night by Premier Anna Bligh.

Daniel was 13 when he disappeared while on his way to buy Christmas presents on the Sunshine Coast hinterland in 2003.

Bones belonging to the 13-year-old boy were found in bushland this year and a man has been charged with his murder.

The couple set up the Daniel Morcombe Foundation several years ago to educate children about personal safety.

Among their achievements are Day for Daniel, a national day of action to educate children about safety.

Bruce and Denise Morcombe say winning Queensland's Australian of the Year is 'really special'.

Mr Morcombe says he and his wife will continue using their high profiles to help keep children safe and support victims of crime.

"It's obviously an award that other people have nominated us for and obviously the voting panel considered that we were the appropriate people, but it's all a bit bewildering," he said.

"You sort of wonder how we ended up in this position, but it's a great position to be in."

Ms Bligh says Bruce and Denise Morcombe deserve their joint nomination as finalists for Australian of the Year.

"An outstanding line-up of Queenslanders for this year's Queensland Australian of the Year awards," she said.

"Bruce and Denise Morcombe have inspired a nation and it was terrific to see them on the stage as Queensland's nominees for Australian of the Year 2012."

Hetty Johnston, from child protection group Bravehearts, says the Morcombes deserve this award.

"I'm very happy they have won the state award and hopefully will move on to win the national award," she said.

"Child abduction is a real threat and it's a good thing that the community are aware of it."

Queensland's nominee for Young Australian of the Year is 24-year-old Chris Raine, who created an anti-binge drinking campaign aimed at young people.

Tug boat owner Doug Hislop is the state's Local Hero for his efforts during the Brisbane floods.

Ms Bligh says adopted Queenslander David Williamson is Queensland's Senior Australian of the Year.

"He is someone who's quintessentially Australian, whether it's Don's Party or any of his other great plays, he's someone who tells Australian stories like nobody else," she said.

"I think Australians, wherever they are, will think that he's a great choice as Queensland's Senior Australian of the Year."

Mr Williamson says he is thrilled to be named Queensland's Senior Australian of the Year.

"Just seems yesterday I was being referred to as a young playwright and it might have finished my playwriting career now I'm known as a senior playwright - I don't think so though," he said.

"I'm honoured - the quality of the candidates was extremely high and I feel honoured."

The Queensland award recipients join interstate counterparts as finalists in the national awards, to be announced in January by Prime Minister Julia Gillard.