Astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg, the first Australian to qualify through the nation's space program, has been named Australian of the Year for 2026. The announcement was made at the National Arboretum in Canberra on Sunday, alongside three other national award recipients.
Bennell-Pegg, 41, completed basic astronaut training in 2024 at the European Astronaut Centre in Germany, becoming the first international participant to achieve this. She was selected from more than 22,500 applicants worldwide. She currently works as a space engineer, contributing to space missions and technologies.
National Australia Day Council CEO Mark Fraser described all four winners as 'visionaries' driven by outcomes that benefit others. Bennell-Pegg said she hopes her journey inspires others, noting that 'Australia is leaving too much talent on the launch pad' and calling for more engagement from all backgrounds.
Other winners include dementia treatment pioneer Professor Henry Brodaty AO as Senior Australian of the Year, ultra-marathon runner and charity champion Nedd Brockmann as Young Australian of the Year, and Indigenous construction leader Frank Mitchell as Australia's Local Hero for 2026.
