Who Are The NSW Australians Of The Year?

The NSW Australians of the Year awards have been announced, recognising and celebrating the contributions made by Australian citizens in their communities.

The honoured titles have been awarded since 1960, and on 10 November 2025, NSW announced its 2026 winners at The Calyx, Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney.

This year’s award winners were selected from 17 impressive candidates.

Dr. Alison Thompson OAM received the NSW Australian of the Year title. Alongside her are Professor Henry Brodaty AO, recipient of the NSW Senior Australian of the Year; Nedd Brockmann, recipient of the NSW Young Australian of the Year; and Theresa Mitchell, recipient of the NSW Local Hero.

“Each has a personal story and motivation that drives the work they do, and it’s clear how much passion and dedication they bring to it,” said NSW Premier Chris Minns, .

NSW Australian of the Year: Dr Alison Thompson

NSW Australian of the Year, 61-year-old Dr Thompson, was a former investment banker who became a first-responder organiser, having founded the Third Wave Volunteers. Thompson has helped send over 30,000 volunteers to disaster-stricken and war-torn zones. Her humanitarian and medical aid efforts have been assisting over 18 million people.

“We need every citizen to step up and do their part,” said Dr Thompson to ABC News.

Her involvement started during the 9/11 terrorist attack in New York City, where she rushed to the scene with her first-aid kit. She continued to stay in New York for nine months to deliver relief. Today, her teams are in countries such as Ukraine, Syria, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka.

Later in 2004, Dr Thompson established the first Tsunami Early Warning Centre and an education museum.

“Her commitment to volunteering and helping others in times of crisis shows the incredible difference one person can make,” said Minns.

NSW Senior Australian of the Year: Professor Henry Brodaty

NSW Senior Australian of the Year, 78-year-old Professor Henry Brodaty, is a psychiatrist who transformed dementia care and prevention. His interest in dementia care started back in 1972 when his 52-year-old father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Having witnessed his father’s struggle since the disease was not well-understood at the time, it encouraged him to make a difference.

“Australia did such wonderful work with HIV, with skin cancer, with smoking. Let’s do it for brain health,” Professor Brodaty told ABC News.

Professor Brodaty co-founded the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing in 2012 and led the Maintain Your Brain trial, showing that cost-efficient lifestyle programs can delay or even prevent dementia.

NSW Young Australian of the Year: Nedd Brockmann

NSW Young Australian of the Year, 23-year-old Nedd Brockmann, an electrician from Forbes, had run 3,952 kilometres in 2022 from Perth’s Cottesloe Beach to Sydney’s Bondi Beach in 46 days. He raised $2.6 million for Mobilise, his charity partner focused on homelessness. Additionally, Brockmann is the fastest Australian to complete the distance.

His motivation stems from a desire to inspire people to take more initiative for themselves and the homeless community. He became involved in wanting to help homeless individuals after witnessing many people sleeping alongside Eddy Avenue in Sydney on his way to TAFE.

Before the trans-Australia run, he completed 50 marathons in 50 days and raised over $100,000 for the Red Cross in 2020.

“We need innovative ways to help these people who need help,” said Brockmann to ABC News.

In 2024, Brockmann launched Nedd’s Uncomfortable Challenge, raising over $8 million. He continues to raise funds for Mobilise.

NSW Local Hero of the Year: Theresa Mitchell

NSW Local Hero of the Year, 51-year-old Theresa Mitchell, founder of Agape Outreach Inc., has led more than 300 volunteers in providing hot meals and practical support across the Northern Rivers and Gold Coast. In her free time, Mitchell had fostered 37 children.

Agape now serves over 1,000 meals a week and offers back-to-work programs, psychology services, and life skills support.

“We need affordable housing, we need support to turn things around,” said Mitchell to ABC News.

The NSW award winners will join the winners from other states and territories at the national Australian of the Year Awards ceremony in Canberra on 25 January 2026.