Carrie Bickmore has been named the 2026 Victorian Australian of the Year for her contributions to brain cancer research.
The tv and radio presenter has raised more than $27 million in the last 10 years through her Beanies 4 Brain Cancer foundation, which she set up in memory of her late husband, Greg Lange, who passed away from the disease in 2010.
In 2021, she founded The Brain Cancer Centre, supporting researchers and clinicians in developing new treatments and world-first clinical trials.
The centre has secured an additional $45 million of funding since then for research projects across Australia.
“Carrie Bickmore is a radio and television presenter who has changed the way that brain cancer research is funded in Australia,” the statement on the Australian of the Year website read.
“Brain cancer kills more Australian children than any other disease, and more people aged under 40 than any other cancer.”
Bickmore was brought to tears while accepting the award at the ceremony on Thursday night, saying that she was initially reluctant to accept the nomination.
“Because I feel like there are so many people, not only in the brain cancer space but in the world, that are doing incredible things and it made me deeply uncomfortable,” she said.
But after her manager reminded her of what it could mean to her foundation and those affected by brain cancer, she decided to accept it on their behalf.
She also talked about her late husband’s 10-year battle and how bittersweet receiving the award felt.
“It was one of the most horrific things I’ve ever watched and it took me a long time to know what to do post that because when you’ve been through something like that you just want to run away from it.
“Then I realised with my platform I had the ability to make sure that no other amazing man like Greg, no other young girl like myself who hadn’t even had a chance to work out what life was going to be for her to have to go through something like that, so that’s why I decided to set up my foundation.”
Bryan Lipmann was the recipient of Victoria’s 2026 Senior Australian of the Year, for his work in helping elderly homeless people through his Housing Association, Wintringham.
27-year-old Abraham Kuol was awarded Victoria’s Young Australian of the Year title, for his work in mentoring young people in his community.
He co-founded the Black Rhinos soccer and basketball club, engaging at-risk youths in sports, and he is also a irector at Sandown Lions Football Club, where he creates sporting pathways for young people from migrant and refugee backgrounds.
The Victorian recipients will join those from other states and territories for the 2026 Australian of the Year award that will be announced on January 25.
Image: Australian of the Year Awards
