Wednesday, 4 November 2026

Editor’s note: Official photos of recipients will be made available from 9pm here, credit to NADC/Salty Dingo.

Editor’s note: 2027 NSW Australian of the Year recipient bios on next page.

The NSW Government congratulates the NSW Australian of the Year recipients for 2027: NSW Australian of the Year, Dr Vanessa Pirotta; NSW Senior Australian of the Year, Dr David Cooke OAM; NSW Young Australian of the Year, Danny Schouten; and NSW Local Heroes, Jill Ashley and Paul Ireland.

The 2027 recipients were announced by NSW Governor Margaret Beazley AC KC and NSW Premier Chris Minns at a ceremony tonight at The Calyx, Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney.

The Australian of the Year Awards recognise and celebrate the contributions made by the people in our communities every day.

All 17 NSW nominees have made extraordinary efforts worthy of recognition – from doctors with decorated careers saving lives across the nation, innovators producing emergency equipment for beaches along the NSW coast, and advocates campaigning for families affected by domestic and family violence, to community workers and volunteers supporting our most vulnerable with learning and training programs.

The five NSW recipients will go on to join the recipients from other states and territories at the national Australian of the Year Awards ceremony in Canberra on Monday, 25 January 2027, where the national recipients will be announced.

For more information on the Australian of the Year Awards, visit: https://australianoftheyear.org.au/

Premier of NSW Chris Minns said:

“Congratulations to all our 2027 nominees, and to our exceptional award recipients.

“Each of you has made our communities stronger.

“It is an honour to recognise Dr Vanessa Pirotta as the 2027 NSW Australian of the Year.

“Her work to protect our marine life is so important, and this accolade will ensure it is shared to a wider audience.”