On Sunday 25 January 2026, Nedd Brockmann was named the Young Australian of the Year at the 2026 Australian of the Year Award ceremony in Canberra.
Nedd Brockmann is an ultramarathon runner for the homeless, who at 23-years-old set a goal to run across Australia to raise awareness about the complexities of homelessness.
Since 2022, Nedd has raised more than $10.6 million to support people experiencing homelessness, running from Perth’s Cottesloe Beach to Sydney’s Bondi Beach over 46 days in 2022, before starting Nedd’s Uncomfortable challenge in 2024.
Nedd has been recognised for his work helping to change lives and reduce the number of people sleeping rough in Australia.
The Young Australian of the Year Award is Australia’s peak award recognising the vital contributions that young people make to Australian society.
The Office for Youth is the proud sponsor of the Young Australian of the Year Award. Congratulations to all of our Young Australian of the Year finalists who have made a significant difference to their communities.
To find out more about Nedd's work and learn more about the award, visit the Australian of the Year website.
Photo courtesy of Salty Dingo through the National Australia Day Council.