Dr. Alison Thompson OAM, a global humanitarian and former investment banker, has been awarded the title of 2026 Australian of the Year for New South Wales. The announcement was made during a ceremony in Sydney on November 10. Dr. Thompson will now compete with other state and territory winners for the national award, which will be presented on January 25, 2026.

Dr. Thompson's humanitarian efforts began over 24 years ago when she responded to the September 11 attacks in New York City. Armed with a first aid kit, she rushed to the World Trade Center to assist victims. Since then, she has founded Third Wave Volunteers, a global movement that has deployed over 30,000 volunteers to disaster zones, providing humanitarian and medical aid to more than 18 million people worldwide. Additionally, she established the first Tsunami Early Warning Centre and an educational museum following the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. Dr. Thompson emphasizes the importance of individual contributions, stating, "Each person's small skills add up to drive big changes."

The 2026 Senior Australian of the Year for NSW is Professor Henry Brodaty, a prominent dementia prevention advocate. At 78 years old, he co-founded the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing in 2012. His research has significantly advanced the understanding of dementia risk and prevention. Professor Brodaty was motivated to improve dementia care after his father was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 1972. His research trial, Maintain Your Brain, demonstrated that simple, cost-effective interventions can delay the onset of dementia. He believes this program could be implemented nationally, stating, "Dementia is such a tragic disease. Let's do it for brain health."

Nedd Brockman, a 26-year-old ultramarathon runner, has been named the 2026 Young Australian of the Year for NSW. His commitment to addressing homelessness was ignited by his observations during his weekly commute to TAFE, where he frequently saw individuals sleeping rough. In 2022, Brockman ran 3,952 kilometers from Cottesloe Beach in Western Australia to Bondi Beach in Sydney, raising over $2.6 million for homelessness initiatives. He has since launched Nedd's Uncomfortable Challenge, which has raised more than $8 million. Brockman expressed his vision for a world without homelessness, saying, "We need innovative ways to help these people who need help."

The 2026 Local Hero for NSW is Theresa Mitchell, a dedicated advocate for the homeless. She founded Agape Outreach Inc. in 2009 after realizing she could no longer ignore the plight of homeless individuals. Through her charity, she provides hot meals, life skills training, and support to those in need. Agape serves over 1,000 meals weekly across the Northern Rivers and Gold Coast regions. Mitchell has also fostered 37 children, demonstrating her commitment to helping vulnerable populations. She believes that affordable housing is essential for solving homelessness, stating, "We need affordable housing, we need support to turn things around."

Mark Fraser, CEO of the National Australia Day Council, congratulated the award recipients, highlighting their significant contributions to society. The four honorees will join other state and territory winners for the national awards ceremony in Canberra on January 25, 2026.