Carrie Bickmore has taken centre stage in Canberra as the nation prepares to crown its next Australian of the Year.
The media personality and long-time advocate, 45, was photographed ahead of Sunday night’s prestigious ceremony.
Carrie cut an elegant figure as she posed for an official portrait at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Canberra.
She was seen wearing a crisp white sleeveless top with a high neckline, cinched at the waist with a flowing tie detail.
The veteran presenter paired the look with a fitted mocha-toned skirt, her blonde hair styled in soft waves and her makeup kept polished and natural.
Carrie attended the Australian of the Year reception at The Lodge, where she was warmly greeted by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his partner Jodie Haydon.
Carrie Bickmore has taken centre stage in Canberra as the nation prepares to crown its next Australian of the Year
The media personality and long-time advocate was photographed ahead of Sunday night’s prestigious ceremony
Carrie cut an elegant figure as she posed for an official portrait at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Canberra
The reception brought together this year’s nominees ahead of the official announcement, with the Prime Minister praising the 2026 finalists as a powerful reflection of modern Australia.
Per The Daily Telegraph, the PM described the nominees as ‘uplifting’, urging viewers to tune in for the ceremony.
‘If people want to be inspired, watch the Australian of the Year awards tonight,’ he said on Insiders on Sunday.
‘They are uplifting. It’s one of the best things I get to do as Prime Minister.
‘It shows ordinary Australians going out of their way to help each other.
‘It is what defines us as Australians as well.’
This year’s Australian of the Year nominees include an astronaut, a digital addiction and gaming disorder specialist, an emergency rescuer and Carrie, whose work in media and advocacy has resonated with Australians nationwide.
The 2026 Australian of the Year, alongside the Senior Australian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year and Local Hero, will be revealed at a ceremony starting at 7.30pm on Sunday night, broadcast live on the ABC.
Carrie attended the Australian of the Year reception at The Lodge, where she was warmly greeted by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
The PM described the nominees as ‘uplifting’, urging viewers to tune in for the ceremony
‘If people want to be inspired, watch the Australian of the Year awards tonight,’ the PM said on Insiders on Sunday
The winner will take over the mantle from last year’s recipient, former AFL player and FightMND co-founder Neale Daniher AO, continuing a legacy that celebrates service, resilience and community spirit across the country.
It would seem Carrie has had a bumpy start to the New Year, as the radio star revealed she had a nasty accident prior to getting a spray tan.
The wince-worthy injury left a small cut at the centre.
Captioning the photo, Carrie revealed she had absent-mindedly collided with a cupboard while getting ready for her spray-tan appointment.
‘Bumped my head into the corner of a cupboard 20 minutes before my spray tan,’ she wrote.
She saw the funny side of her accident, though, adding, ‘Karma for vanity,’ and a crying laughing face emoji.
