Astronaut, STEM ambassador and history maker Katherine Bennell-Pegg has been crowned as Australian of the Year for 2026.
On Sunday, Bennell-Pegg, the first person to qualify as an astronaut under the Australian flag, was awarded Australian of the Year 2026 by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
“This incredible honour isn’t mine alone. It belongs to all who have built Australia’s space sector. To the Australian Space Agency. To those that have encouraged and educated me. And especially my family,” Bennell-Pegg said in her acceptance speech.
“I’d also like to acknowledge the Australian Government and the Department of Industry, Science and Resources for supporting my astronaut training, recognising the immense benefits for Australia.”
In April 2024, Bennell-Pegg graduated from the European Space Agency’s astronaut training program. As a result, she not only made history as the first Australian to qualify as an astronaut, but she could also become the first person to enter space as part of an Australian mission.
But alongside her trailblazing moves, the Aussie astronaut is also the Director of the Australian Space Agency, a reservist Group Captain in the Royal Australian Air Force, and a highly regarded space engineer.
Further in her speech, Bennell-Pegg reflected on her journey, drawing back to a time when she was just a little kiddo with huge dreams about what space holds.
“As a kid, I used to lie on the dry grass in my backyard and gaze up at the stars in awe,” she said.
“That imperative to look to the sky and wonder, to innovate and explore is an ancient one on this continent.
“Australia’s First Nations people’s deep connection to Sky Country reminds us that looking up has always been part of who we are.”
The Australian of the Year went on say that Australia was “leaving too much talent on the launch pad” with young people being turned away from STEM subjects.
“A wonderful part of our culture, I think, is how we give it a go in sports, even if we’re the weakest on the field,” she added.
“But when it comes to maths and science, if we’re not top of the class, or we don’t fit the stereotype, we often shy away. We’re even encouraged away.
“So if I may be allowed another dream beyond being an astronaut, it’s this that we bring that same ‘give it a go’ spirit from the sports field to the STEM fields, backing each other and ourselves with the trust that we can do hard, important things.
“Imagine what more we would discover, what great problems we would solve, how our horizons would expand.”
Australia of the Year is one of many credentials on Bennell-Pegg’s iconic achievement list. In November 2025, she was named Australian of the Year for South Australia.
As S Club once sang, “reach for the stars”, and Katherine Bennell-Pegg did!!!
Image source: Instagram / Australian Space Agency.
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