Celebrating Australia's Most Dedicated Senior Citizens
The 2026 Australian of the Year Awards will honour nine exceptional individuals as finalists for the prestigious Senior Australian of the Year title. These remarkable Australians have spent decades making significant contributions across various fields, from sports and science to community service and environmental protection. The winner will be announced at a ceremony at the National Arboretum in Canberra on Sunday, January 25, with the event broadcast live on ABC TV and ABC iView from 7.30pm.
Meet the Inspiring Finalists from Across Australia
Heather Reid (ACT) - At 70, this football pioneer has transformed women's soccer in Australia. She established the Australian National University Women's Soccer Club in 1978 and the ACT Women's Soccer Association in 1979. As the first female CEO of Capital Football in 2004, she unified four associations and secured Canberra United's place in the national W League. Her Heather Reid AM Bursary helps players facing financial hardship.
Professor Henry Brodaty (NSW) - This 78-year-old psychiatrist has revolutionised dementia care since his father's diagnosis in 1972. He co-founded the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing in 2012 and led groundbreaking research showing how targeted interventions can delay or prevent dementia onset.
Jenny Duggan (NT) - Known as Katherine's 'rubbish warrior', this 71-year-old environmental advocate cleans the Katherine River banks daily, collecting hundreds of kilograms of litter. She successfully advocated for plastic wine bottles to reduce glass hazards and serves on multiple community committees.
Cheryl Harris (QLD) - The 76-year-old Sunshine Coast volunteer champion has significantly increased regional volunteering through her work with Volunteering Sunshine Coast. She developed the innovative Pathways to Employment program and chairs Healthy Ageing Partnerships.
Malcolm Benoy (SA) - This 79-year-old meteorological researcher has volunteered with the Bureau of Meteorology for two decades, leading a citizen science group that digitised over 90,000 historical weather records, providing crucial climate change data.
James Currie (SA) - A 79-year-old sound design legend whose work includes Breaker Morant, Wolf Creek, and Red Dog. He helped establish South Australia's film industry and created uniquely Australian soundscapes through his work with Indigenous communities.
Julie Dunbabin (TAS) - This 66-year-old nutrition pioneer has transformed school lunch programs, now serving 14,332 meals weekly to 6,656 students. Her cook-from-scratch model uses local produce and is expanding to 60 schools in 2026.
Bryan Lipmann (VIC) - After witnessing elderly homelessness as a social worker, the 78-year-old founded Wintringham, which now provides accommodation and care for 3,000 people. His organisation offers 'a home until stumps' for marginalised seniors.
Professor Kingsley Dixon (WA) - This 71-year-old world-leading botanist discovered smoke's role in post-bushfire germination in 1992. He transformed Kings Park's research unit into a top-five global botanic garden science centre and works extensively with Indigenous communities.
A National Celebration of Lifelong Service
These nine finalists represent the diverse ways Australians contribute to their communities and nation. From Heather Reid's football advocacy to Kingsley Dixon's botanical discoveries, each has demonstrated extraordinary dedication over many decades. Their stories highlight how individual passion and persistence can create lasting positive change across Australian society.
The Australian of the Year Awards ceremony promises to be a moving tribute to these remarkable individuals, whose collective work has improved countless lives. Whether through scientific breakthroughs, community building, or cultural contributions, each finalist embodies the spirit of service that defines the best of Australian citizenship.
