Four ACT residents named 2027 Australian of the Year Award winners
Four ACT community leaders won 2027 Australian of the Year awards, led by human rights lawyer Martin Hodgson.
Martin Hodgson, a human rights advocate, was named the 2027 Australian of the Year for the ACT. He has spent more than 20 years defending vulnerable clients.
Hodgson represented over 500 people pro bono across more than 30 countries, including the Bali Nine and journalist Peter Greste. He secured the release of a First Nations man wrongfully imprisoned for more than 25 years.
Three others were honoured: Dr Andrzej Kilian for making genetic technology affordable for farmers globally; Zakary Pino for leading WITH-ME, which connected over 2000 isolated Canberrans through walking and wellness groups; and Micaela Centenera for co-founding a social enterprise that funds maternal health research and brings together 2100 mothers a year.
National awards will be announced in January 2027.
- Over 500 across 30+ countries
- Pro bono clients represented
- More than 25 years in Queensland
- Kevin Henry wrongful imprisonment
- 2001 by Dr Andrzej Kilian
- DArT founded
- Over 2000 through WITH-ME
- Isolated Canberrans connected
Why it mattersThese awards shine a light on Australians quietly solving real problems: accessing justice, ending loneliness, building community, and improving global food security.
AustraliaThe award recipients show how individual Canberrans and Australians can create lasting change at home and around the world.
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