2027 Australian of the Year awards recognize regional and medical leaders

The 2027 Australian of the Year awards have named several recipients across various states for their contributions to medicine, community service, and healthcare innovation.

In New South Wales, Dr. David Cooke, 84, was named Senior Australian of the Year. A former pilot and doctor for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, Cooke has spent over sixty years providing medical care to remote regions. In Western Australia, Tina Baldwin was honored for her four decades of service as a Lifeline volunteer, having answered 33,000 calls.

South Australia recognized four individuals for their work in women’s health, palliative care, space education, and violence prevention. Dr. Fariba Behnia-Willison, a gynaecologist and reconstructive surgeon, was named the 2027 Australian of the Year for South Australia. She was recognized for her work in pelvic floor reconstruction and supporting survivors of female genital mutilation. Dr. Roger Hunt was named the state’s Senior Australian of the Year for his forty years of dedication to palliative medicine and end-of-life care.