Bickmore described the nomination as bittersweet given her late husband’s decade-long brain cancer battle and emphasized using her platform to help others affected by the disease.

Her 2015 national on-air appeal highlighted brain cancer funding gaps and inspired her ongoing advocacy.

Carrie Bickmore is named Victoria’s 2026 Australian of the Year for her advocacy and fundraising for brain cancer research through Carrie’s Beanies for Brain Cancer, which has raised more than $27 million since 2015.

She launched Carrie’s Beanies 4 Brain Cancer Foundation in memory of her late husband Greg Lange, and her work has generated over $27 million for brain cancer research.

Bickmore also receives Victoria’s 2026 Victorian Australian of the Year honor for advancing brain cancer research.

Abraham Kuol is named Victoria’s Young Australian of the Year, co-founding the Black Rhinos sports club and mentoring youth while pursuing a criminology PhD with a focus on using sport to engage at‑risk youth.

At the ceremony, other Victorian awardees are announced: Bryan Lipmann as Victorian Senior Australian of the Year and Linda Widdup as 2026 Local Hero for Victoria.

Bryan Lipmann is named Victoria’s 2026 Senior Australian of the Year for founding Wintringham, which provides dignified housing for elderly homeless Australians and now serves about 3,000 people.

Linda Widdup is named Victoria’s 2026 Local Hero for founding Aussie Hay Runners in 2019 to deliver hay to farmers during droughts and disasters, with a fleet of over 70 trucks and more than 90,000 bales delivered.

The 2026 Australian of the Year recipients will be announced on January 25, with Victorian honorees joining national finalists for the national awards.

National winners will be announced on January 25, 2026, following the Victorian announcements.

Bickmore established The Brain Cancer Centre in 2021 to connect researchers and clinicians for trials and research, and to secure funding for brain cancer research in Australia.

Since its founding, The Brain Cancer Centre has helped secure an additional $45 million in funding for Australian brain cancer research.