In an inspiring turn of events that challenges conventional notions of success, Sita Sargeant has been named the 2026 Young Australian of the Year for the Australian Capital Territory despite never completing her high school education.
From Academic Struggles to Historical Pioneer
The founder of historical tourism company She Shapes History, Sargeant dropped out of school in Year 10 but found her academic footing at university. The arts graduate discovered her passion for uncovering the often-ignored stories of women who helped shape Australia's development.
"I always say that, like anyone with an arts degree, I felt like I could do anything. You're prepared for everything and nothing at once," Sargeant reflected during the announcement ceremony in November 2025.
Her frustration with the absence of women's narratives in conventional historical accounts drove her to action. "I kept getting really frustrated at the fact that women's stories were never being positioned as essential characters, even though they were there," she explained.
Building an Empire of Untold Stories
What began as a simple walking tour in Canberra in 2021 has blossomed into a thriving enterprise that has expanded across multiple Australian cities. Sargeant initially expected no participants would show up to her first tours, but four years later, her team has guided more than 10,000 people through historical walks.
The company's reach now extends to:
- Sydney
- Melbourne
- Wollongong
With plans to expand to eight Australian cities by the end of 2026, Sargeant's vision continues to grow. She has also launched a successful podcast and published a book featuring the stories of more than 250 women who contributed to Australian history.
Recognition That Supercharges a Mission
Sargeant believes the Young Australian of the Year recognition will accelerate her ambitious goals. "My goal is that in every major - and maybe one day minor as well - Australian town and city, women are properly recognised, commemorated and respected, and I think that that starts with knowing their stories," she stated.
She emphasized the importance of understanding diverse historical perspectives: "Australian history is so much more interesting than you think - it explains who we are. And if we want to carve a different path for ourselves, we need to actually look at our history and draw out some of the more diverse, different things that have been suppressed for a long time."
Other ACT Award Recipients Making Their Mark
Sargeant joins other distinguished Australians recognized in the 2026 awards. Former rugby star Ben Alexander was named the ACT's Local Hero for his mental health advocacy work through Running for Resilience (R4R), which he co-founded with Matt Breen.
The organization, which aims to make Canberra suicide-free by 2033, hosts weekly runs and walks that attract hundreds of participants seeking to improve their physical and mental wellbeing.
"We're launching interstate early in the new year, and potentially overseas as well - every other week, we're getting requests to start more events," Alexander revealed, expressing amazement at the community response.
Alexander has pioneered a fresh approach to men's mental health, noting that "three quarters of suicides are male" but traditional mental health terminology often fails to resonate with men.
The ACT Australian of the Year winner, Rose McGready, was recognized for her three decades of work as a migrant and refugee health expert serving displaced people along the Thailand-Myanmar border. Football pioneer Heather Reid received the Senior Australian of the Year award for the ACT for her contributions to women's football.
Together, these award recipients represent the diverse ways Australians are making significant contributions to their communities, proving that conventional education paths aren't the only route to creating meaningful change.
