Released 17/11/2025
Four exceptional Canberrans have been named as the 2026 ACT Australians of the Year.
The Australian of the Year Awards celebrate people whose achievements and contributions have had a profound impact on the lives of others.
ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr acknowledged the contributions of these remarkable Canberrans during the awards ceremony at the National Gallery of Australia on Monday evening.
“I thank all nominees and award winners for their commitment to our community and to making Canberra - and the world around them - a safer, healthier and more inclusive place to live.”
The 2026 ACT Australian of the Year is Professor Rose McGready, a migrant and refugee health expert.
Professor Rose McGready has spent three decades providing life-saving health services to displaced people in the border region between Thailand and Myanmar.
Over the past 31 years, she has built a network of locally run clinics and out-patient services for pregnant women and new mothers and their babies, saving thousands of lives.
Rose’s research has also led to new treatments being developed to tackle maternal malaria. Her findings have been adopted by the World Health Organisation as the global standard for combatting the disease.
The 2026 ACT Senior Australian of the Year is Heather Reid AM, a pioneer of women’s football.
Heather Reid AM has made it possible for thousands of women to play football in the ACT and around Australia.
As the first female CEO of Capital Football in 2004, Heather brought together four associations into a single peak body and secured Canberra United’s inclusion in the national W-League, helping to promote the game to a wider audience.
Heather has continued to support and mentor players, coaches and administrators, both locally and internationally. The Heather Reid AM Bursary helps pay the registration fees of players in need of assistance, ensuring that financial hardship is not a barrier to participation.
The 2026 ACT Young Australian of the Year is Sita Sargeant, a historical storyteller and founder of She Shapes History.
Sita Sargeant is uncovering the stories of women who have shaped Australia in ways that receive little or no recognition.
Sita founded She Shapes History, a historical tourism company and social enterprise that highlights these little-known stories through walking tours, digital content and partnerships with cultural institutions and historic sites.
Sita and her team of guides have taken more than 10,000 people on tour in Canberra, Sydney and Melbourne, revealing how women’s contributions have long been ignored by mainstream history.
Sita has also published a book highlighting the stories of more than 250 women who have shaped history in 31 towns and cities across Australia.
The 2026 ACT Local Hero is Ben Alexander, a mental health advocate and co-founder of Running for Resilience.
Former Brumbies and Wallabies player Ben Alexander is helping build a stronger and more resilient community where no one feels they must face tough times alone.
Ben co-founded Running for Resilience (R4R) with fellow Canberran Matt Breen to help make the ACT suicide-free by 2033.
Ben faced his own struggles after retiring from professional rugby and has used this experience to help others overcome personal difficulties through exercise and connection.
Each week, hundreds of people join R4R’s free runs and walks across Canberra to boost their physical and mental health.
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Andrew Barr, MLA | Media Releases