Overview
- Global humanitarian Dr Alison Thompson was named 2026 Australian of the Year for NSW for founding Third Wave Volunteers and leading frontline aid in disaster and conflict zones.
- Award citations report she has mobilised more than 30,000 volunteers and assisted over 18 million people worldwide across responses in countries including Ukraine, Syria, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka.
- Dementia expert Professor Henry Brodaty was recognised as NSW Senior Australian of the Year after the Maintain Your Brain trial showed targeted, low‑cost lifestyle programs can improve cognition and delay or even prevent dementia.
- Ultramarathon runner Nedd Brockmann was selected as NSW Young Australian of the Year after his 3,952 km 2022 Perth‑to‑Sydney run raised about $2.6 million for Mobilise and subsequent challenges lifted his homelessness fundraising to more than $8 million.
- Theresa Mitchell was named NSW Local Hero for founding Agape Outreach, which provides roughly 1,000–1,500 hot meals each week and delivers life‑skills, employment and psychology support across the Northern Rivers and Gold Coast.