A clinician developing medicines for Australia's rarest diseases, an addiction specialist and an Indigenous mental health pioneer are among the inspiring WA nominees for the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards.

Geneticist Gareth Baynam, founder of the Fly2Health group, Kennedy Lay, joins digital addiction specialist Dr Daniela Vecchio and Indigenous mental health pioneer Dr Tracy Westerman as finalists for the state's highest accolade.

Four nominees from four categories will go on to represent Western Australia in the national Australian of the Year Awards, to be presented on Australia Day Eve in January 2026.

Announced on October 30, the WA nominees in the four categories are:

The WA nominees are among 134 Australians being recognised across all states and territories.

The WA award re

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