Canberra's future is being forged by a dynamic generation of young leaders, creators, and trailblazers. The Canberra Times has unveiled its inaugural '30 Under 30' list for 2026, spotlighting the individuals under the age of thirty who are actively shaping the culture, economy, and spirit of the national capital.
A Diverse Tapestry of Talent
The list celebrates remarkable achievements across a wide spectrum of fields. It includes sport stars, award-winning chefs, internationally recognised musicians, dedicated conservationists, and savvy entrepreneurs. These young Canberrans are not just participating in their industries; they are redefining them and putting Canberra firmly on the global stage.
The first ten profiles from this prestigious list have been released, showcasing an extraordinary depth of talent right here in the ACT.
Culinary and Creative Pioneers
In the culinary world, Hemnath 'Chef Hemm' Thapa Maga, 29, has achieved global acclaim. The Nepalese-born pizza chef was named one of the world's top pizza makers in 2023, a list dominated by Italians. He now owns Pizza Artigiana in Macquarie, runs The Jetty restaurant, and operates the popular Sliceria in Civic.
The music scene is powerfully represented by Genesis Owusu (Kofi Owusu-Ansah), 27. The Ghanaian-Australian rapper and singer, a multiple ARIA Award winner, has performed on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and at major international festivals, yet continues to call Weston Creek home.
Similarly, the all-female rock band Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers – Anna Ryan, Scarlett McKahey, Neve van Boxsel, and Jaida Stephenson – have skyrocketed from playing Canberra school fetes to sharing stages with Pearl Jam and Dave Grohl, following the release of their acclaimed second album.
In the visual arts, glass artist Maddie Cardone, 29, is gaining international recognition. A graduate of the ANU School of Art and Design, she won the prestigious Aldo Bellini Acquisition Award in Milan in 2024 and her work is featured in the emerging triennial exhibition, Glass Chrysalis II.
Entrepreneurial Spirit and Sporting Excellence
Entrepreneurship shines through ventures like Selecta Wines, founded by four schoolmates in their mid-20s – Mark Rusanov, Lang Stratton, Lochie Carey, and Matthew Kingma. Starting as a fun project, their wine is now served in Canberra restaurants.
Meanwhile, the teenage founders of Canberra Garms – Amaru Ley, Gaby Leydman, Finn Harmer, Tom Rush (all 19), and Aiden Hellyer (18) – have turned a vintage clothing side-hustle into a thriving Braddon store and a top-ranking global Depop business.
Sita Sargeant, 29, the ACT's 2026 Young Australian of the Year, founded the historical tourism company She Shapes History. What began as a single Canberra tour in 2021 has now guided over 10,000 people, expanded to multiple cities, and spawned a podcast and book highlighting the stories of over 250 Australian women.
On the sporting field, Canberra's young athletes are breaking records. Middle-distance runner Cameron Myers, who ran a sub-four-minute mile at 16, claimed a Diamond League silver medal in Oslo in 2025 and set an Australian under-20 record for the 1500m.
Basketballer Alex Toohey, 21, a Marist College graduate, was drafted by the NBA's Golden State Warriors, poised to play alongside Steph Curry before a season-ending injury temporarily sidelined his debut.
Breaking Barriers in New Fields
The list also highlights those breaking new ground. Katelyn Czubara, an ANU languages student, combined her academic prowess with a childhood passion for karting to become the first female driver for the university's Formula Sport Team, competing in a car she helped build.
These ten individuals represent just the first wave of Canberra's young achievers. Their stories collectively paint a picture of a confident, creative, and ambitious capital city, driven by a generation that is not waiting for the future but actively building it. The remaining twenty names on the 30 Under 30 list are set to be revealed in the coming days, promising further inspiration from the heart of the ACT.
