Australian of the Year

2027 AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR AWARDS: VICTORIAN NOMINEES ANNOUNCED 

People making an impact across disability reform, healthcare, science, LGBTQIA+ inclusion and initiatives supporting children and young people are among the Victorian nominees announced today for the 2027 Australian of the Year Awards. 

Sixteen people from across the state have been named as nominees for the 2027 Australian of the Year Awards for Victoria, with nominees recognised in each of the Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year and Local Hero categories. 

Among this year’s nominees are a woman who turned grief into pancreatic cancer research, an Indigenous astrophysicist combining traditional knowledge with space research, a woman shining a light on cultural domestic violence issues, a mechanic bringing independence and opportunity to young people in a remote region and a vet providing voluntary essential care for pets and people in need. 

The nominees are: 

2027 Australian of the Year for Victoria 
Associate Professor David Chong - Volunteer surgeon (South Yarra) 
Cherie Dear - Pancreatic cancer research advocate (Bayside) 
Dr Zach Greig - Founder, The Stand Up Project (Moorabbin) 
Associate Professor Jane Tiller - Preventative DNA screening advocate (St Kilda) 

2027 Senior Australian of the Year for Victoria 
Professor Bruce Bonyhady AM - Disability reform pioneer (Balwyn) 
Associate Professor Wenn Lawson - Autistic autism researcher, advocate and author (Warrnambool) 
Ivan Lister - Rural outreach worker (Ardmona) 
Professor Manjula Datta O’Connor - Migrant domestic violence campaigner (Melbourne) 

2027 Young Australian of the Year for Victoria 
Dr Kirsten Banks - Space scientist and communicator (Melbourne) 
Ryan Brigham - Founder, Health in Focus (Donvale) 
Sagalee Omer - Founder and social impact leader (Tarneit) 
Mikhael Touma - Interpreter and LGBTQIA+ advocate (North Melbourne) 

2027 Australia’s Local Hero for Victoria 
Sally Beard - Founder, Backpacks 4 Vic Kids (Officer) 
Gavin Hynam - Volunteer car mechanic and mentor (Horsham) 
Sharon Mamo - Clinical innovator and social impact leader (Mont Albert)
Robyn Slattery - Delivering affordable veterinary care (Maldon) 

The Victorian nominees are among 130 people being recognised across all states and territories in the 2027 Australian of the Year Awards. 

National Australia Day Council CEO Carrie Leeson said the nominees for Victoria demonstrated the many ways in which people could support their communities. 

“The nominees for Victoria are standing up for what matters – providing support to people when they need it most and helping to shape better futures for the next generation,” said Ms Leeson. 

The 2027 Victorian award recipients will be announced on Thursday 12 November in Melbourne. The ceremony will also be available to watch via livestream at australianoftheyear.org.au 

The Victorian award recipients will then join recipients from the other states and territories as finalists for the national Australian of the Year Awards, announced in Canberra on 25 January 2027. 

ENDS 

Detailed nominee biographies follow and are also available at australianoftheyear.org.au. 

Photos for download: Photos provided by the nominees for editorial use can be downloaded from here: VIC Nominee photos - supplied by nominees  (please use photo credits where noted on file names) 

Media contact:   Nicole Browne, media opps  0414 673 762   nicole@mediaopps.com.au