2026 AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR AWARDS NOMINEES FOR ACT ANNOUNCED
Nominees for the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards for the ACT include a champion for better end-of-life experience, a men’s ‘downunder’ health advocate, a basketball legend helping at-risk kids, mental health advocates, a perinatal bereavement advocate and a cartoonist celebrating diversity.
The nominees are:
2026 Australian of the Year for ACT
Lauren Cannell - Advocate and humanitarian (Bruce)
Sarah McGoram OAM - Cancer patient advocate (Canberra)
Professor Rose McGready - Migrant and refugee health expert (Thailand)
Karen Schlage - Maternity care advocate and volunteer (Spence)
2026 Senior Australian of the Year for ACT
Marion Lê AM - Refugee advocate (Fraser)
Calvin Bruton OAM - Basketball legend (Gungahlin)
Heather Reid AM - Football pioneer (Keils Mountain)
Dr Adele Stevens - Palliative care advocate (Rivett)
2026 Young Australian of the Year for ACT
Liam Adams - Author and cartoonist (Canberra)
Howard Maclean - Housing advocate (Kingston)
Sita Sargeant - Historian and guide (Canberra)
Anjali Sharma - Climate change campaigner (Canberra)
2026 Local Hero for ACT
Ben Alexander - Mental health advocate (Forrest)
Bradley Butt - Men’s health advocate (Fyshwick)
Michael Phelan - Youth mentor (Canberra)
Raffy Sgroi - Inclusive employment champion (Weston Creek)
*see detailed bios on following pages
The nominees for ACT are among 134 people being recognised across all states and territories.
The ACT award recipients will be announced on Monday 17 November 2025 in a ceremony at the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra, which will also be available to watch online at australianoftheyear.org.au.
They will then join other state and territory recipients as finalists for the national awards announcement on
25 January 2026 in Canberra.
National Australia Day Council CEO Mark Fraser AO CVO congratulated the nominees for the ACT awards.
“The nominees for the ACT awards are extraordinary people making life better for others,” said Mark.
“Drawing on their own life experiences or responding to a need they’ve identified, they are working to educate, generate awareness, create opportunities and improve lives.”
ENDS.
Nominee bios are on the following pages and can also be viewed from australianoftheyear.org.au.
Nominees have supplied photos which can be downloaded from this link: ACT NOMINEE PHOTOS
MEDIA CONTACT: Nicole Browne 0414 673 762 or nicole@mediaopps.com.au
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