Katherine Bennell-Pegg has been honored as the Australian of the Year for 2026, a prestigious accolade that recognizes her remarkable achievements.

This accolade was announced in Canberra on Sunday, where eight distinguished Australians had gathered as nominees for this esteemed title.

Bennell-Pegg, celebrated as Australia’s pioneering astronaut, emerged as the recipient of this significant award.

Here’s a closer look at the 2026 Australian of the Year, Katherine Bennell-Pegg, along with the other notable nominees.

Katherine Bennell-Pegg

Bennell-Pegg has made history by becoming the first individual to qualify as an astronaut under the auspices of Australia’s own space program.

Ms Bennell-Pegg graduated from Basic Astronaut Training in 2024 as part of a class of six trained by the European Astronaut Centre in Germany.

She has been passionate about space since childhood and regularly fosters the same curiosity in today’s children by presenting at schools. 

Katherine Bennell-Pegg has been named Australian of the Year for 2026

Ms Bennell-Pegg is the first to qualify as an Australian astronaut

‘Katherine is a genuine trailblazer in Australia’s emerging space industry,’ Australian of the Year Awards said.

‘With her determination and drive to succeed, she is a powerful example for young Australians.’

Professor Rose McGready

Professor Rose McGready has spent 31 years helping people displaced in the border region between Thailand and Myanmar, in Southeast Asia.

When she first arrived in the region as a young doctor, Professor McGready noticed the difficulty refugees faced accessing health services in Thailand.

She primarily helps pregnant women through a network of locally run clinics and outpatient services.

Professor McGready’s research also developed new treatments for maternal malaria, which have been adopted by the Word Health Organisation as the global standard.

‘Rose’s commitment, compassion and clinical expertise provide life-saving aid to some of the most vulnerable communities in the world,’ Australian of the Year Awards said.

The nominees for the 2026 Australian of the Year award have gathered in Canberra (pictured, nominee Carrie Bickmore)

Professor Rose McGready (second left) has set the global standard for treating maternal malaria through her work helping displaced women in the border region between Thailand and Myanmar

Alison Thompson OAM founded Third Wave Volunteers – a network of 30,000 volunteers that assist in disasters around the world

Alison Thompson OAM 

Alison Thompson OAM’s humanitarian work began during the horrific 9/11 terror attack in New York City when she ran toward the World Trade Centre with her first-aid kit.

Ms Thompson later founded Third Wave Volunteers, a global team of 30,000 volunteers who assist in some of the world’s worst disaster zones.

Those areas include Ukraine, Syria, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka. 

Ms Thompson’s efforts have helped more than 18 million people through the worst moments of their lives. 

Dr Felix Ho ASM  

Dr Felix Ho ASM has dedicated his life to helping those in remote communities access medical care.

On top of his work in the Northern Territory, Dr Ho has been working with St John since he joined as a cadet at the age of 13 in 1995.

Dr Felix Ho ASM (centre) has provided medical care to remote communities across the Northern Territory as well as overseas

Dr Rolf Gomes (centre) created Heart of Australia in 2014, a mobile heart health service for Australians in remote areas

He also worked overseas as an Intensive Care Paramedic on a United Nations mission to Timor-Leste.

Dr Ho took over the national leadership position of the St John Ambulance Australia youth portfolio in 2020.

Dr Rolf Gomes 

Dr Rolf Gomes is the mind behind Heart of Australia, founded in late 2014.

The service operates a fleet of ‘Heart Trucks’ to help deliver critical cardiac treatment to patients across 30 towns in rural Australia.

The mobile centres have saved more than 20,000 patients from travelling hundreds of kilometres to access the same care offered in metro areas.

‘Rolf’s vision, ingenuity and tenacity have had a far-reaching impact on rural health and medicine in Australia, helping to save lives and ensure that rural patients have access to clinical services without having to travel long distances,’ Australian of the Year Awards said.

Dr Jo Kippax 

Dr Jorian ‘Jo’ Kippax (right) saved the life of Lithuanian whitewater rafter Valdas Bieliauskas by guiding his team through an underwater leg amputation

Carrie Bickmore OAM (pictured with her son) has been nominated for her incredible efforts in funding research for brain cancer

Dr Jorian ‘Jo’ Kippax was part of the rescue team that saved Lithuanian whitewater rafter Valdas Bieliauskas after he became trapped in rapids on the Franklin River, Tasmania, in 2024.

In order to pull Mr Bieliauskas from the freezing water, Dr Kippax and his team had to perform an underwater leg amputation.

Dr Kippax was previously honoured by the President of Lithuania, Gitanas Nausėda, who awarded him the country’s Life Saving Cross.

Carrie Bickmore OAM 

While most Aussies know Carrie Bickmore for her work in radio and television, the Australian of the Year Awards has recognised Bickmore for her work in brain cancer research funding.

Bickmore has raised more than $27 million for brain cancer research since 2015. 

In 2021, she established The Brain Cancer Centre to bring together the brightest minds in research to find a cure. 

‘Brain cancer kills more Australian children than any other disease, and more people aged under 40 than any other cancer – including Carrie’s late husband Greg, who passed away in 2010,’ Australian of the Year Awards said.

Dr Daniela Vecchio established Australia’s first gaming addiction clinic in 2022

‘Carrie is striving to ensure that every Australian diagnosed with brain cancer can access the best treatments and has real hope of a positive outcome.’

Dr Daniela Vecchio 

Dr Daniela Vecchio established Australia’s first publicly funded gaming disorder clinic in 2022.

As the head of mental health and addiction services at Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth, Dr Vecchio saw a rise in the number of young people struggling with gaming addiction and decided to create an early intervention and treatment system.

Her work as seen her collaborate with specialists in Korea, Germany and Dubai as well as across Australia.