Carrie Bickmore stuns in tailored white as she prepares to shine at Australian of the Year ceremony in Canberra

Carrie Bickmore is in Canberra as Australia gets ready to announce its next Australian of the Year.

The well-known public figure and dedicated activist, age 45, was seen in photos before the highly-regarded event on Sunday evening.

Carrie looked graceful and sophisticated while having her official portrait taken at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Canberra.

She was wearing a simple, white sleeveless top with a high neck, and it had a tie that cinched in at her waist.

The experienced presenter completed her outfit with a close-fitting, light-brown skirt. Her blonde hair was styled in gentle waves, and she wore natural, refined makeup.

Oh my gosh, you will NOT believe this! Carrie was at The Lodge – The Lodge! – for the Australian of the Year reception, and she met Prime Minister Albanese and his wife, Jodie Haydon! They were so welcoming to her, it was just the sweetest thing ever. I’m seriously living for this moment!

Before the official announcement, a reception was held for this year’s nominees. The Prime Minister commended the 2026 finalists, saying they truly represent contemporary Australia.

According to The Daily Telegraph, the Prime Minister called the award nominees ‘inspiring’ and encouraged people to watch the ceremony.

He suggested viewers tune in to the Australian of the Year awards tonight for an inspiring experience, sharing this on the Insiders program 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.’

The nominees for Australian of the Year this year are a diverse group, including an astronaut, a doctor who helps people with gaming and internet addiction, a hero who performs emergency rescues, and Carrie, a media advocate whose work has touched many Australians.

The winners of the Australian of the Year awards – including Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year, and Local Hero – will be announced at a live ceremony on ABC this Sunday starting at 7:30pm.

The next winner will follow in the footsteps of Neale Daniher AO, a former AFL player and co-founder of FightMND. They will continue to honor a tradition of recognizing dedication, strength, and community involvement throughout Australia.

Carrie had a rough beginning to the New Year, telling listeners she was in an accident before getting a spray tan.

The wince-worthy injury left a small cut at the centre. 

Carrie shared that she accidentally bumped into a cabinet while preparing for her spray tan, explaining she wasn’t paying attention at the time.

‘Bumped my head into the corner of a cupboard 20 minutes before my spray tan,’ she wrote.

Despite being involved in an accident, she joked about it, playfully suggesting it was ‘karma for vanity’ and adding a laughing emoji.

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2026-01-25 08:33