Media Identity Carrie Bickmore Named Victorian Australian of the Year
Radio host and former television presenter Carrie Bickmore has been awarded the title of 2026 Victorian Australian of the Year for her outstanding contribution to brain cancer research and advocacy.
Her commitment to the cause began after the loss of her husband, Greg Lange, to brain cancer in 2010. Since founding the Carrie's Beanies 4 Brain Cancer Foundation in 2015, she has helped raise more than $27 million to support research efforts.
“The goal has always been to fund research that leads to better treatments and, eventually, a cure,” said Bickmore.
To further this mission, Bickmore launched The Brain Cancer Centre in 2021. The centre unites researchers and medical professionals through trials and collaborative projects designed to enhance treatment outcomes and increase survival rates. Since its establishment, the centre has attracted an additional $45 million in funding for projects across Australia.
Victorian Award Recipients for 2026
- Senior Australian of the Year: Bryan Lipmann, advocate for elderly homeless individuals.
- Young Australian of the Year: Abraham Kuol, community mentor.
- Local Hero: Linda Widdup, organiser supporting farming communities.
Author’s Summary
Carrie Bickmore’s decades-long dedication to brain cancer research and her leadership in fundraising and advocacy have made her one of Australia's most respected public figures.