Global humanitarian and former investment banker, Dr Alison Thompson OAM, has been named the 2026 Australian of the Year for NSW .

She was honoured in Sydney on November 10 and will now be considered alongside other state and territory winners for the national awards on January 25, 2026.

Dr Thompson's work as a humanitarian started more than 24 years ago when she rushed to the World Trade Centre in New York with her first aid kit following the September 11 attacks.

Since founding the global movement of first responders, Third Wave Volunteers, more than 30,000 people have been deployed to the world's worst disaster zones, bringing humanitarian assistance and medical aid to over 18 million people.

The 61-year-old also established the first Tsunami Early Warning Centre and education m

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