Carrie Bickmore Named 2026 Australian of the Year for Victoria
Broadcaster and cancer fundraiser Carrie Bickmore OAM was honoured as the 2026 Australian of the Year for Victoria on November 6 in Melbourne.
Personal Reflection on Acceptance
"It's really bittersweet to be honest, because I wouldn't be here unless my late husband had died," Ms Bickmore said in her acceptance speech. "And so, while I graciously accept the award, if I could go back and make that little 21-year-old young Carrie not have to watch her boyfriend have a seizure in bed and then endure a nine-year battle with brain cancer, I would do that."
Fundraising for Brain Cancer Research
Since 2015, Bickmore has raised over $27 million dedicated to brain cancer research, supporting efforts to find effective treatments and ultimately a cure.
Scientific Progress and Research
"We bat above our average in this country when it comes to medical research and science, we are extraordinary," Ms Bickmore said. "Our brain cancer centre has some of the greatest minds in this country at the moment. We have clinical trials happening, which is not something I could have ever imagined, that will hopefully one day save lives."
The Brain Cancer Centre Initiative
Established by Bickmore in 2021, The Brain Cancer Centre unites leading researchers from across Australia to spearhead groundbreaking clinical trials, the first of their kind worldwide, aiming to improve outcomes for brain cancer patients.
The centre supports numerous research projects nationwide, amplifying the collective effort to combat this devastating disease.
Summary
Carrie Bickmore’s dedication has driven significant fundraising and innovation in brain cancer research, positioning Australia at the forefront of medical progress in this field.
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