Carrie Bickmore has been nominated for The Victorian of the Year award for 2026 for her efforts in raising funds and awareness towards brain cancer research.
Nominees for this prestigious award were announced on Thursday, celebrating Australians who have made significant contributions in areas ranging from mental health advocacy to support for aged care communities and more.
The winner will be revealed at the Arts Centre Melbourne on November 6, before joining other state and territory recipients at the Australian of the Year awards in Canberra on January 25, 2026.
Bickmore founded the Beanies 4 Brain Cancer Foundation in 2015 after her late husband Greg died from brain cancer.
The foundation has since raised more than $27 million towards brain cancer research, and she also opened the Brain Cancer Centre in 2021, securing more funds for world-first clinical trials and helping Australians experiencing brain cancer to access treatment.
Other nominees for Victorian of the Year include geologist and rescuer Arnold Dix, who helped save 41 people from the Silkyara tunnel collapse in the Himalayas in 2023, and Leila Sweeney-McDougall, who raised awareness of mental health struggles among farmers.
Hugh van Cuylenburg, was also nominated for his work in mental health for children, after establishing The Resilience Project, partnering with more than 1200 schools and elite sporting teams.
National Australia Day Council chief executive Mark Fraser said this year’s nominees were chosen because they “share a sense of passion and purpose.”
“From lives spent advocating for others, selflessly giving to care for those in need, finding new ways to solve problems or create change, they are all driven by a sense of caring,” he said.
The Victorian of the Year awards also recognise Young, Senior, and Local Hero categories, highlighting outstanding contributions across the state, including efforts in refugee support, environmental initiatives, and community wellbeing.
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