Australia's first qualified astronaut, a beloved cook and a sound designer behind some of the nation's most recognised film soundtracks are among the inspiring South Australian nominees for the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards.

Clinical geneticist Gareth Baynam, Astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg, and veterans advocate Paul Broadbridge join health researcher Professor Marion Eckert and public health expert Dr Mohammad Afzal Mahmood as finalists for the state's highest accolade.

Four nominees, one from each category, will go on to represent South Australia in the national Australian of the Year Awards, to be presented on Australia Day Eve in January 2026.

Announced on October 31, the South Australian nominees in the four categories are:

The nominees for South Australia are among 134 Aus

See Full Page