A farmers' health filmmaker, a mental health advocate, and a disaster rescuer are among the inspiring Victorians nominated for the 2026 Australian of the Year awards.

Professor Arnold Dix, best known for leading international rescue missions, joins broadcaster and brain cancer fundraiser Carrie Bickmore, filmmaker Leila Sweeney-McDougall, and Hugh van Cuylenburg, founder of The Resilience Project , as finalists for Victoria's top honour.

Four nominees from four categories will go on to represent Victoria in the national Australian of the Year Awards, to be presented on Australia Day eve in January 2026.

Announced on October 23, Victoria's nominees in the four categories are:

The Victorian nominees are among 134 Australians being recognised across all states and territories.

The Vict

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