The future of Canberra is bright, diverse, and remarkably young. The Canberra Times has unveiled its list of 30 Canberrans under the age of 30 who are already making significant contributions across arts, sport, business, science, and activism, proving that the nation's capital is a hotbed for emerging talent.
From Pizza Ovens to Global Stages
The list celebrates extraordinary achievement from humble beginnings. At just 29, Nepalese chef Hemnath 'Chef Hemm' Thapa Maga has been recognised as one of the world's top pizza makers, owning Pizza Artigiana in Macquarie and running popular venues like The Jetty and Sliceria in Civic.
In music, Genesis Owusu (Kofi Owusu-Ansah, 27) continues to be Canberra's most famous musical export. The genre-bending Ghanaian-Australian artist, an ARIA Album of the Year winner, has graced stages from The Late Show with Stephen Colbert to international festivals, yet still calls Weston Creek home.
Similarly, the all-female rock band Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers have skyrocketed from playing a Canberra school fete to sharing stages with Pearl Jam and Dave Grohl, releasing their acclaimed second album 'Glory' in 2025.
Entrepreneurship and Innovation Thriving
A spirit of innovation and enterprise runs strong through this cohort. What started as a school side-hustle for five vintage-clothing obsessed friends is now Canberra Garms, a thriving bricks-and-mortar store in Braddon and a top global store on Depop, run by Amaru Ley, Gaby Leydman, Finn Harmer, Tom Rush, and Aiden Hellyer, all aged 18 or 19.
Meanwhile, four schoolmates and tradies in their mid-20s—Mark Rusanov, Lang Stratton, Lochie Carey, and Matthew Kingma—decided to try winemaking for fun. Two years later, their Selecta Wines label is stocked in Canberra restaurants and going strong.
Other young business minds include Maddi Easterbrook, who launched sustainable oat-milk ice cream company Future Swirl after her ANU law degree, and Anthony Giorgi, who turned from teen soccer star to CEO of a multi-million dollar luxury car dealership.
Champions of Community and Change
Beyond commerce, many on the list are driving social and environmental progress. Sita Sargeant (29), the ACT's 2026 Young Australian of the Year, founded the historical tourism company She Shapes History, which has taken over 10,000 people on tours uncovering the overlooked stories of Australian women.
Climate activist and ANU law student Anjali Sharma (21), a finalist for the same award, continues her campaigning for a 'Duty of Care' law after famously taking the federal government to court over a coal mine at just 14.
Housing advocate Howard Maclean is another nominee, leading the Greater Canberra group to campaign for more affordable, sustainable 'missing middle' housing through ACT planning law reform.
In conservation, University of Canberra researcher Dr Jarrod Sopniewski is leading a unique project to save the locally extinct green and golden bell frog, installing 180 specially designed 'saunas' and salt bath ponds in Canberra wetlands.
Sporting Stars and Academic Excellence
Canberra's sporting prowess is well represented. Teen athletics sensation Cameron Myers continues to shatter records, claiming a Diamond League silver medal in 2025 and setting an Australian under-20 record in the 1500m.
In basketball, Alex Toohey (21) was drafted by the NBA's Golden State Warriors, following in the footsteps of Patty Mills. On the rugby field, dual-code star Grace Kemp is a fixture for the Canberra Raiders NRLW side, while Hudson Young (27) excels for the Raiders, NSW, and Australia while running his own supplement business.
Academic brilliance is highlighted by Anton Steinhauser, who achieved a near-perfect ATAR of 99.95 from Lake Ginninderra College and plans to study quantum physics.
The list also includes political trailblazer Laura Nuttall (25), the youngest ever Greens representative elected to an Australian parliament and the first Gen-Z member of the ACT Legislative Assembly.
From glass artist Maddie Cardone winning international awards to Zak Farag developing the Psyquility app for ADHD support after a difficult childhood, these 30 individuals collectively paint a picture of a dynamic, compassionate, and fiercely talented next generation shaping Canberra's identity.
