Five extraordinary people have been named the 2027 Australian of the Year Award recipients for New South Wales at a ceremony in Sydney on the evening of November 5th 2026.
2027 Australian of the Year for NSW – Dr Vanessa Pirotta (Sydney)
2027 Senior Australian of the Year for NSW – Dr David Cooke OAM (Port Macquarie)
2027 Young Australian of the Year for NSW – Danny Schouten (Bonny Hills)
2027 Local Hero for NSW – Jill Ashley & Paul (Fatty) Ireland (Nambucca Heads & Macksville)
From safeguarding marine life and the environment, to creating emergency shark bite kits for beaches, practising medicine on the fly and helping disengaged young people find meaning and employment, the recipients of the 2027 Australian of the Year Awards for NSW are playing pivotal roles across our communities.
The 2027 Australian of the Year for NSW is marine scientist and science communicator, Dr Vanessa Pirotta.
Dr Vanessa Pirotta is a well-known marine scientist who uses her passion for the ocean to engage Australians in conservation.
As a renowned whale researcher, Vanessa has pioneered innovative ways to assess whale health (whale snot) using drones. She is the founder of Wild Sydney Harbour, a citizen science project that seeks to document the diversity of marine life found in Sydney Harbour.
She works alongside the traditional custodians on Gamay (Botany Bay), the Gamay Rangers, to monitor marine populations. A strength of her work is a commitment to recognising the importance of First Nations cultural knowledge.
Vanessa, 38, is a popular science communicator and champions conservation messages across generations in her books, public appearances and school outreach programs. She is also a strong advocate for having more women in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics) subjects. Through her research, conservation work and science communication, Vanessa inspires and mentors young women to follow a career in science.
Dr Vanessa Pirotta was the Premier's NSW Woman of Excellence 2025 Recipient.
Based in Macquarie University’s Faculty of Science and Engineering, Dr Pirotta is a world-recognised marine scientist.
Her research has taken her up close to some of the ocean’s most majestic giants, developing pioneering methods to assess their health, including collecting whale snot using drones.
A regular media commentator, she has also inspired future generations of scientists through her science communication, including appearances on the ABC’s children’s classic Play School.
Earlier this year, she led a training program in Tonga to help local ocean ambassadors collect environmental DNA and monitor whale sightings.
Accepting the award, Dr Pirotta said she was passionate about sharing knowledge.
"We need to understand our blue backyard better," Dr Pirotta said.
"I'm just sharing knowledge … I want people to feel empowered."
Dr Pirotta hopes her experiences growing up in regional Australia will inspire other young Australians to pursue their passions.
“There should be no boundaries to Australians aspiring for great things,” she said.
“By following your passion and putting in a lot of hard work, we can all learn together. I feel Australia is really wanting to learn together.
“I’m a citizen of migrants. My dad was born in Malta and my mum’s family is from Italy. No one in my family had ever done what I do, so there should be no boundaries for people to follow their passion.
“Australians are curious and, through their interactions with whales and growing awareness of these incredible animals, are recognising that the ocean is an important place for all of us. But we still don't understand it very well.
“People want to learn more, and I feel we should be sharing this information in accessible and relatable ways.”
Dr Vanessa Pirotta with NSW Premier Chris Minns. Photo credit: NADC/Salty Dingo
In announcing the winners, NSW Premier Chris Minns said each awardee had made their communities stronger.
“It is an honour to recognise Dr Vanessa Pirotta as the 2027 NSW Australian of the Year,” the Premier said.
"Her work to protect our marine life is so important, and this accolade will ensure it is shared to a wider audience.”
Macquarie University Vice-Chancellor Professor S Bruce Dowton said: “The Australian of the Year awards recognise the profound contribution everyday Australians make in their communities every day.
“Vanessa embodies this ideal. Her passion for marine science, mentoring the next generation of scientists and commitment to helping all Australians appreciate and understand the beauty, fragility and wonder of our ‘blue backyard’ is inspirational.
“She represents the very best of our university and our mission to help make the world a better place.
“I commend Vanessa on this well-deserved recognition and thank her for making such an incredible contribution to science, our local communities and our nation.”
The 2027 Senior Australian of the Year for NSW is pilot doctor, Dr David Cooke OAM.
For more than six decades, 84-year-old Dr David Cooke has dedicated his life to caring for patients in remote and regional Australia.
David’s remarkable career is founded on his dual passions: medicine and aviation. As part of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, David provided care across vast and isolated parts of the Northern Territory and north Queensland.
Working with little access to diagnostic technology, he relied on clinical judgement and resourcefulness to diagnose and treat patients in some of Australia's most challenging environments.
A self‑described ‘pilot who practises medicine’, David even trained in parachute jumping to reach patients in inaccessible locations.
After settling in Port Macquarie in 1988, David became one of the region’s most respected doctors, known for his skill, humour and deep humanity. Now well into his 80s, David continues to care for patients in Port Macquarie and South West Rocks, helping address the critical shortage of general practitioners in the region.
Dr David Cooke OAM
The 2027 Young Australian of the Year for NSW is the founder of Community Shark Bite Kits, Danny Schouten.
Danny Schouten, 30, is the creator of Community Shark Bite Kits, bleeding-control stations that are now installed at hundreds of beaches across Australia.
When a friend survived a shark attack only because a bystander quickly fashioned a makeshift tourniquet from a dog lead, Danny saw the critical need for on-site emergency equipment.
Danny responded by designing Community Shark Bite Kits: specialised first-aid stations containing tourniquets, compression bandages, dressings, thermal blankets, amputated-part bags, gloves, a whistle and clear instructions for treating severe bleeding. When the majority of NSW beaches are unpatrolled and emergency services may experience delays reaching remote locations, Danny’s kits will save lives.
Danny spends weekends assembling the kits, which have already proven their value, notably at a shark attack at Coogee Beach in June 2026. Community Shark Bite Kits have been installed at more than 330 beaches across Australia, and Danny’s vision is for every beach in Australia to be equipped with a kit.
The 2027 Local Hero for NSW award recipients are Jill Ashley and Paul (Fatty) Ireland, founders of Shoretrack.
Jill Ashley, 66, and Paul ‘Fatty’ Ireland, 57, founded ShoreTrack in 2020 to support disengaged young people in the Nambucca Valley through hands‑on learning, mentoring and trade‑based training.
In just five years, ShoreTrack has assisted more than 750 young people and helped shift community perceptions – showing that disengaged youth are full of potential. So far, 86% of those who completed a Certificate II pathway through ShoreTrack remain employed.
Jill and Fatty spend their time and resources to provide mentoring, meals, transport, trade‑based training and employment pathways. Working with businesses, community, and government agencies, they have built support networks that help marginalised young people attain independence.
They've marked a significant achievement in a regional community where barriers such as lack of transport and low expectations can impede opportunity.
National Australia Day Council CEO Carrie Leeson congratulated the NSW award recipients.
“The NSW recipients are all committed to using their skills, experience and time to make a difference,” said Carrie.
“Vanessa combines innovation and traditional knowledge to help protect marine life; David has devoted his life to providing medical care; Danny took action to equip others in emergencies; and Jill and Paul are creating life-changing opportunities for kids who need a helping hand.”
The NSW award recipients will join those from all other states and territories for the national awards, to be announced on the evening of 25 January 2027 in Canberra.
For more information on all the 2027 Australian of the Year for New South Wales finalists see Week One November 2026 reports:
2027 Australian of the Year Awards: NSW Nominees Announced
For more information on the Australian of the Year Awards, visit australianoftheyear.org.au.