Astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg named Australian of the Year for 2026

Katherine Bennell-Pegg, the first Australian astronaut to train under the Australian flag, was named Australian of the Year at a ceremony in Canberra; she said she hopes the honour will inspire young people.

Katherine Bennell-Pegg was named Australian of the Year at a ceremony in Canberra. She is 41 and the first Australian astronaut to train under the Australian flag. Bennell-Pegg graduated from the European Space Agency astronaut program in 2024 and has not yet flown to space. In her acceptance speech she said she hopes the award will inspire young people to chase their dreams. Key details: - Bennell-Pegg grew up on Sydney's northern beaches and studied aeronautical engineering and physics at the University of Sydney. - In 2021 she was invited to undertake astronaut training with the European Space Agency, and in 2024 she became the first Australian woman to graduate from that program and the first astronaut to fly under the Australian flag. - She lives in Adelaide, volunteers with the West Beach Surf Life Saving club, and was appointed an Air Force reservist in December 2024. - Bennell-Pegg said she was inspired by Paul Scully-Power and Andy Thomas and described receiving a flight suit bearing the Australian flag as an emotional moment. - The award takes over from Neale Daniher, the 2025 Australian of the Year, who did not attend the ceremony because he is unwell; the prime minister announced the creation of the Neale Daniher MND clinical network. Summary: The award highlights Bennell-Pegg's public profile and Australia's growing presence in human spaceflight, and she has expressed a wish to use the recognition to inspire young people. She is currently waiting to be called up for a space flight; further developments are undetermined at this time.