The 2026 Australian of the Year Awards celebrate individuals whose leadership, courage and innovation are shaping the nation’s future. From trailblazing achievements in STEM and dementia research to advocacy for homelessness and Indigenous employment, this year’s recipients highlight the power of purpose-driven action. Beyond the winners themselves, the Awards elevate diverse stories from across Australia, sparking national conversations and inspiring others to dream bigger and contribute meaningfully to their communities.
12 February 2026
Insight from: Robbie Sefton
When new Australian of the Year Katherine Bennell-Pegg was a child, she’d gaze up at the stars, dreaming of a future career as an astronaut. Years later she went on to achieve that dream, just like her fellow Australian of the Year Award winners achieved their goals, often at incredible odds.
The announcement of this year’s Australian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year and Australian Local Hero again honours the very best of our nation. Alongside Bennell-Pegg is Young Australian Nedd Brockmann, who ran almost 4000km across Australia on a mission to raise money to help the nation’s homeless; Senior Australian Professor Henry Brodaty AO, responsible for revolutionary research into the treatment of dementia; and Local Hero Frank Mitchell, an indigenous business owner recognised for his work creating indigenous employment pathways in the construction industry.
As is often the case, they are all trailblazers in their own way, ignoring the many roadblocks in front of them, turning challenges into opportunities and having the courage to fail, knowing they would emerge stronger and more determined. They put themselves on the line because of an unwavering belief and desire to effect meaningful change, recognising if they succeeded, others could be better off as a result. They show us what’s possible with passion, purpose and conviction.
While these four are worthy winners for 2026, they began the Australian of the Year awards journey with hundreds of others, from every corner of the country. All with amazing stories and successes, and all worthy of recognition far beyond their own communities. And this has always been part of the magic of the Australian of the Year Awards: they offer the chance to highlight so many amazing Australians during the journey towards selecting the overall winners.
I had the pleasure of being on the National Australia Day Council board for 10 years, many of those as deputy chairman. The Council has the responsibility for the Awards and it was satisfying to know that by the time I left, we had elevated the Awards’ profile and boosted the number of nominations received annually. I’m a great believer in their value and importance to us as a nation. Not only do the Awards provide inspiring role models, they also highlight the diversity of our country and raise our collective awareness of subjects we may not have thought a great deal about.
This year’s winners will be able to put a national spotlight on some the issues driving their outstanding contributions: more participation in STEM subjects; homelessness; dementia treatment and prevention; and indigenous employment opportunities. They will spark a national conversation that may – and does - help shift the dial on some of these issues. At this year’s awards Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the government would be partnering with FightMND, the foundation started by 2025 Australian of the Year Neale Daniher, to create the Neale Daniher MND Clinical Network, assisting more Australians with motor neurone disease.
I congratulate all the 2026 winners and look forward to seeing where the next 12 months will take them, confident they will inspire others to dream big and reach for the stars.
