2026 AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR AWARDS NOMINEES FOR QUEENSLAND ANNOUNCED
Nominees for the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards for Queensland include a doctor at the heart of a mobile health clinic, a PTSD recovery leader, the founder of a homeless charity, a conservationist building community through environmental protection, a champion for volunteers and a young man collecting containers to create jobs and inclusion for people with disabilities.
The nominees are:
Australian of the Year for Queensland 2026
Nicole Dyson - Entrepreneurial educator (Teneriffe)
Mark Forbes and Gayle Forbes - Eating disorder recovery (Montville, Sunshine Coast)
Dr Rolf Gomes - Mobile health pioneer (Kenmore Hills)
Distinguished Professor Ben Mathews - Child abuse researcher (New Farm)
2026 Senior Australian of the Year for Queensland
Gerald Garard - PTSD recovery supporter (Corinda)
Cheryl Harris OAM - Champion for volunteers (Sunshine Coast)
Habib Mahomed Jamal - Multiculturalism advocate (Main Beach, Gold Coast)
Karyn Walsh AM - Social justice campaigner (West End)
2026 Young Australian of the Year for Queensland
Jarib Branfield-Bradshaw - Youth worker and mentor (Cunnamulla)
Katura Halleday - Education equality champion (Tallai)
Kurt Jones - Conservationist and community builder (Caloundra)
Thomas Pirie - Recycling entrepreneur (Gold Coast)
2026 Local Hero for Queensland
Ross Blanch - Rural Lifeline counsellor (Lower Mt Walker)
Ian Gay - Disabled surfing volunteer (Parkwood, Gold Coast)
Vanessa Seekee OAM and Arthur Liberty Seekee - WWII historians (Horn Island, Torres Strait)
Helen Youngberry - Homelessness charity worker (Goodna)
The nominees for Queensland are among 134 people being recognised across all states and territories.
The Queensland award recipients will be announced on Wednesday 12 November 2025 in a ceremony at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre which will also be available to watch online at australianoftheyear.org.au.
They will then join other state and territory recipients as finalists for the national awards announcement on 25 January 2026 in Canberra.
National Australia Day Council CEO Mark Fraser AO CVO congratulated the Queensland nominees on their contributions.
“The nominees for the Queensland awards care for people, community and futures,” said Mark.
“By drawing on personal experience to help others, advocating for people in need, uniting people in a worthy cause or breaking down barriers, they show us what caring can achieve.”
ENDS.
Nominee bios on the following pages and can also be viewed from australianoftheyear.org.au.
Nominees have supplied photos which can be downloaded from this link: QLD Nominee Photos
MEDIA CONTACT: Nicole Browne 0414 673 762 or nicole@mediaopps.com.au