Eight extraordinary Australians, one from each state and territory, have been revealed as finalists for the prestigious 2026 Australian of the Year Local Hero award. Their stories, spanning mental health advocacy, support for the homeless, disaster relief, and social inclusion, powerfully demonstrate how individual dedication can transform communities. The winner will be announced at a ceremony at the National Arboretum in Canberra on Sunday, January 25, 2026, broadcast live on ABC TV and ABC iView from 7:30pm.
Profiles of Resilience and Service
The nominees represent a diverse cross-section of Australian society, each tackling critical issues with unwavering commitment.
Ben Alexander (ACT), the former Wallabies prop, has traded the rugby field for mental health advocacy. At 41, he co-founded Running for Resilience (R4R), a community initiative using free weekly runs and walks across Canberra to foster connection and wellbeing. Open about his own post-career challenges, Alexander aims to make the capital suicide-free by 2033 through practical support and shared experiences.
In New South Wales, Theresa Mitchell has provided a lifeline to the homeless for 16 years. What began in 2009 with meals cooked in her own kitchen is now Agape Outreach Inc, supported by over 300 volunteers. The organisation delivers more than 1,500 hot meals weekly across the Northern Rivers and Gold Coast, alongside back-to-work programs and psychological support. The 51-year-old, who has also fostered 37 children, embodies the 'unconditional love' her charity's name represents.
Northern Territory volunteer Ron Green is a pillar of emergency response. Since 2005, the 50-year-old has strengthened the Katherine volunteer unit of the NT Emergency Service, fought bushfires, and leads the local St John Ambulance youth division. His courage was starkly displayed in 2016 when he and his pregnant wife intervened to protect a woman from a knife-wielding assailant, with their three children asleep inside their home.
Driving Inclusion and Empowerment
From the surf to the social enterprise café, these nominees are breaking down barriers and creating opportunities.
For over two decades, Queensland's Ian Gay has helped people with disabilities experience the joy of surfing. As President of the Disabled Surfers Association Gold Coast and National President since 2021, his leadership has enhanced the safety and reach of events at Currumbin's Flat Rock Beach, fostering profound community spirit.
South Australian leader Ayesha Safdar empowers migrant and refugee women to build new lives. Founding the Adelaide Pakistani Women's Association in 2010, she has expanded its support to women from all backgrounds, helping them navigate a new culture, gain language skills, and access education and employment pathways in fields like childcare and nursing.
In Hobart, social entrepreneur Emily Briffa, 37, runs Hamlet, a community café that provides tailored training and support for Tasmanians facing employment barriers due to disability, neurodivergence, or mental health concerns. With a 75% employment placement rate for its trainees, Hamlet has helped over 700 people gain valuable skills and step into the job market.
Supporting Land and Community
The final nominees channel their efforts into sustaining rural livelihoods and creating indigenous-led business success.
Victoria's Linda Widdup, 60, is the driving force behind Aussie Hay Runners. Founded in 2019 with just four trucks, her voluntary organisation now mobilises over 70 vehicles, delivering more than 90,000 bales of fodder to drought and disaster-affected farmers, providing critical relief for livestock and lifting community morale.
Western Australia's nominee, Frank Mitchell, 43, is a proud Whadjuk-Yued Noongar man and business leader. Driven by early experiences of loss, he has created over 70 Aboriginal upskilling positions in the electrical and construction trades since 2015, including 30 apprenticeships, and awarded over $11 million to Aboriginal subcontractors. His companies now employ more than 200 full-time staff, integrating cultural values with business to create lasting social impact.
These eight biographies, supplied by the National Australia Day Council, highlight the incredible power of local action. Each nominee, in their unique way, has proven that one person's vision and compassion can indeed change a community, building a stronger, more inclusive, and resilient Australia for all.
