Professor Henry Brodaty AO and Nedd Brockmann have received top honours at the Australian of the Year Awards ceremony in Canberra.
Dementia treatment pioneer Professor Henry Brodaty AO has been named Senior Australian of the Year and ultramarathon runner and homelessness advocate Nedd Brockmann has been recognised as Young Australian of the Year.
Over five decades, Professor Brodaty has transformed the understanding, diagnosis, care and prevention of dementia.
Motivated by his father's early Alzheimer's diagnosis, he dedicated his career to researching our understanding of dementia, improving outcomes for patients and for families around the world.
As co-founder of the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, he has led internationally significant research into risk reduction and prevention. His landmark Maintain Your Brain trial demonstrated that accessible, targeted interventions can profoundly delay onset or even prevent dementia.
Professor Brodaty's work has improved countless lives in Australia and around the world, and his vision continues to shape a future where dementia is better understood, treated and prevented.
This honour reflects Dr Brodaty's lifelong contribution to medical research, creating lasting change and improving the lives of many Australians.
Mr Brockmann's journey from a young electrician in Forbes to a national symbol of resilience and generosity began with a simple but powerful desire to help people experiencing homelessness.
Moved by those he saw sleeping rough on Sydney's Eddy Avenue, he set out to raise awareness and inspire action to address homelessness.
In 2022, he ran an extraordinary 3,952 kilometres from Perth's Cottesloe Beach to Bondi Beach in just 46 days, becoming the fastest Australian to complete the crossing and raising more than $2.6 million through over 37,000 contributions.
Through "Nedd's Uncomfortable Challenge" and his continued work with Mobilise, he has helped raise more than $8 million to support innovative programs that reduce homelessness and change lives.
For more information visit: https://australianoftheyear.org.au/
Premier of NSW Chris Minns said:
"On behalf of the NSW Government, I congratulate Professor Henry Brodaty AO and Nedd Brockmann on being recognised at the Australian of the Year Awards.
"Professor Brodaty has dedicated his career to improving outcomes for people living with dementia and their families.
"His research has advanced our understanding of the condition and contributed to better approaches to diagnosis, treatment and prevention.
Professor Brodaty's work reflects the values of the Awards through his long-standing contribution, leadership in the field and impact.
"Nedd Brockmann has brought national attention to homelessness and helped mobilise community support for people doing it tough.
"Housing and homelessness remain complex challenges, and Nedd's efforts have helped drive awareness, funding and action.
"Congratulations to all the NSW Australians of the Year, and thank you for all your contributions to communities in NSW, Australia and internationally."
