Carrie Bickmore has been named Victorian Australian of the Year.
The radio star earned the 2026 top gong thanks to her significant contributions to brain cancer research and awareness, raising over $27million since she set up Carrie’s Beanies 4 Brain Cancer Foundation in 2015.
The charity was set up in loving memory of her late husband Greg Lange, who passed away following his battle with brain cancer in 2010.
A few years later in 2021, the 44-year-old started The Brain Cancer Centre, which ‘brings together leading researchers, doctors and institutions to develop new treatments and clinical trials,’ according to the website.
The program has managed to acquire an extra $45million of funding since its inception, which will help fund research projects across the country.
During the emotional ceremony, Carrie revealed that she felt uneasy about accepting the award.
Carrie Bickmore (pictured) has been named Victorian Australian of the Year
The radio star earned the 2026 top gong thanks to her significant contributions to brain cancer research and awareness, raising more than $27 million since she set up Carrie’s Beanies 4 Brain Cancer Foundation in 2015
‘I feel like there are so many people, not only in the brain cancer space but in the world, that are doing incredible things. It made me deeply uncomfortable,’ she confessed.
However, despite her initial discomfort, she admitted that she’d be a ‘coward’ if she didn’t accept the nomination on behalf of the broader cancer community.
Carrie went on to reflect on her late husband’s cancer journey, which was a catalyst in her involvement in brain cancer research.
‘While I graciously accept the award, if I could go back and make that little 21-year-old, young Carrie not have to watch her boyfriend have a seizure in bed and then endure a nine year battle with brain cancer — I would do that,’ she shared.
She dubbed it ‘one of the most horrific things’ she’s ever watched before admitting it took her a long time to know what to do afterwards.
‘Then I realised with my platform, that I had the ability to make sure that no other amazing man like Greg, no other young girl like myself — who hadn’t even had a chance to work out what life was going to be for her — (would) have to go through something like that.’
Elsewhere in the ceremony, Bryan Lipmann was awarded the 2026 Victorian Senior Australian of the Year trophy.
Bryan is a social worker who started the welfare company Wintringham, which provides homes and care to 3,000 elderly people to combat homelessness.
A few years later in 2021, the 44-year-old started The Brain Cancer Centre, which ‘brings together leading researchers, doctors and institutions to develop new treatments and clinical trials,’ according to the website
The charity was set up in loving memory of her late husband Greg Lange, who passed away following his battle with brain cancer in 2010 (PIctured: Greg Lange and their son Oliver)
Also in attendance was Neale Daniher, who was named the 2025 Victorian Australian of the Year and went on to become the Australian of the Year.
Carrie’s late husband Greg tragically passed away in December 2010 at age 35 from a 10-year battle with brain cancer.
Despite his terminal condition, they married in 2005 when Bickmore was just 25, and had a son, Oliver.
She said having their son was the greatest thing they ever did together.
After Greg died, she continued his legacy by starting her charity, Carrie’s Beanies for Brain Cancer, which she announced during her Gold Logie acceptance speech in 2015.
