The winner of the Senior Australian of the Year 2026 is dementia researcher and advocate, Professor Henry Brodaty AO.
“I would like to dedicate this to all of us who are older and will, hopefully, become older,” Henry said in his acceptance speech.
“I especially dedicate the award to those affected by dementia and their families, to my father, who died with dementia aged 59 and to my mother, who was his carer.”
Dementia, as of 2025, is the leading cause of death in Australia, but Henry says that there’s hope in his research, from randomised trials, to new drugs and a better understanding of risk factors.
“We should treasure our brains just as we have our hearts,” he said. “There is hope for dementia.”
In 2012, Henry co-founded the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CheBA), and his large Maintain Your Brain trial showcased that straightforward, cost-effective, targeted interventions can greatly delay onset and even prevent the disease.
His work is inspired by his father, who, in 1972, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease at 52 years old and died just a few short years later. At that time, the disease was little understood. Henry made it his mission to change that.
Award mix-up leads to two SA Senior Australians of the Year
The speakers open the envelope. They read out the winners to applause. The winners gleefully rush up onto the stage. But, only to realise there has been a mistake. You may think I’m referring to the 2017 Academy Awards mix-up when La La Land was mistakenly awarded Best Picture. However, I’m actually referring to the Senior Australian of the Year Award 2026 ceremony in South Australia.
Malcolm ‘Mac’ Benoy’s name was called out as the South Australian Senior Australian of the Year. The volunteer citizen scientist was nominated for his contribution ot climate change research. As Mac came onto the stage to accept the award, the hosts stopped him. The speaker mentioned there was a “controversy”.
As with the Oscars debacle, the speakers called out the wrong name. The judges said that the 2026 Senior Australian of the Year for SA was actually James Currie.
However, as James walked up, the National Australia Day Council chief executive, Mark Fraser AO CVO, stopped proceedings.
“I don’t know what has transpired behind the scenes, but it’s incorrect information,” Mark said apologetically. “It is Malcolm Benoy. I’m terribly sorry for the embarrassment.”
Malcolm took it well, joking with the crowd, “I’m glad there’s a doctor in the house.”
However, the story got another twist just a few days later. On November 20, 2026, the National Australia Day Council and the Australian Day Council of South Australia announced that James would also be named 2026 SA Senior Australian of the Year.
“Mr Benoy and Mr Currie are standouts in a field of exceptional South Australian Australians of the Year for 2026, and the NADC wishes to apologise to both of them for the confusion,” said Mark Fraser in a statement.
The 2026 Senior Australian of the Year winners:
Professor Kingsley Dixon AO
WA Senior Australian of the Year 2026
Professor Kingsley Dixon’s work in botany has transformed Australian native plant conservation, including his landmark 1992 discovery that smoke triggers germination after bushfires.
As the founding Science Director at Kings Park, he built its research unit into a world-leading centre while spearheading WA’s reputation as a global hub for environmental science and mine rehabilitation. He also works closely with schools, communities and Indigenous groups to champion native seed programs and inspire a nature-positive future.
Jenny Duggan OAM
NT Senior Australian of the Year 2026
For decades, Jenny Duggan has been Katherine’s quiet “rubbish warrior,” transforming both the local landscape and community spirit through her daily clean-ups along the Katherine River.
Her advocacy has improved public safety — from helping introduce plastic wine bottles to supporting Neighbourhood Watch — while her work with the St Vincent de Paul Society provides crucial support for locals experiencing hardship.
Malcolm Benoy
SA Senior Australian of the Year 2026
Malcolm “Mac” Benoy has made a major contribution to climate change research as a volunteer citizen scientist dedicated to preserving South Australia’s meteorological history. Over two decades, he has led a volunteer group with the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) that has digitised more than 90,000 historic weather records, creating an invaluable resource for modern climatologists.
His work supports researchers worldwide as they use these records to better understand long-term climate patterns.
James Currie
SA Senior Australian of the Year 2026
Sound designer, recordist and mixer has worked on some of the most successful films to come out of South Australia over the past 50 years.
The 79-year-old’s credits include Breaker Morant, The Lighthorseman, Bad Boy Bubby, The Tracker, Wolf Creek, Ten Canoes, Red Dog, and the AACTA award-winning documentary, My Name is Gulpilil.
One of James’ signatures is the creation of a uniquely Australian soundscape thanks to his use of location sound, particularly in Indigenous communities.
Professor Henry Brodaty AO – WINNER
NSW Senior Australian of the Year 2026
Professor Henry Brodaty has transformed the diagnosis, care and prevention of dementia. His own father had an early Alzheimer’s diagnosis in 1972, when the condition was poorly understood and support was scarce.
His career has reshaped psychiatry and dementia care globally, from co-founding the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing to leading groundbreaking research showing that simple, targeted interventions can delay or even prevent dementia. Today, he continues to lead with a vision for a future where dementia is better understood, treated and ultimately prevented.
It’s important work as dementia has just overtaken heart disease as the leading cause of death in Australia. Read more here.
Bryan Lipmann AM
VIC Senior Australian of the Year 2026
Bryan Lipmann founded Wintringham after witnessing the harsh conditions faced by older homeless people, creating a safe and dignified home for those the traditional aged care system overlooked.
Today, the organisation supports 3,000 people with accommodation and home care. His advocacy has transformed care for marginalised older Australians, showing how one person’s vision can profoundly improve countless lives.
Cheryl Harris OAM
QLD Senior Australian of the Year 2026
Cheryl Harris has been a driving force behind volunteer engagement on the Sunshine Coast, helping the region build a thriving network of thousands of volunteers across community, charity and disaster-relief roles.
As former CEO of Volunteering Sunshine Coast, she helped launch the Pathways to Employment program, using volunteering to boost skills, confidence and job prospects for people seeking work. Now chair of Healthy Ageing Partnerships, she continues to champion community wellbeing.
