Sita Sargeant, a former high school dropout, has been named the **2026 Young Australian of the Year** for the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). Her recognition comes in light of her innovative historical tourism company, **She Shapes History**, which highlights the often-overlooked contributions of women to Australia’s narrative. Founded in **2021** in Canberra, the enterprise has transformed how Australians view their cities by uncovering the stories of women who have shaped the nation.
While Sargeant struggled in high school, her journey took a turn when she pursued an arts degree, where she discovered her passion for history and feminism. “I always say that, like anyone with an arts degree, I felt like I could do anything,” she stated. “I have always been interested in women’s stories… but I was not someone who studied history until after my degree.” Frustrated by the lack of representation of women in traditional historical narratives, she decided to take action.
After six months of deliberation and complaints about the absence of women’s stories, Sargeant launched her first walking tour, initially expecting low turnout. To her surprise, the venture has since flourished, leading over **10,000 people** on tours across **Canberra**, **Sydney**, **Melbourne**, and **Wollongong**, with plans to expand further. Her recent podcast and book, which chronicles the stories of more than **250 women**, further aim to elevate these narratives.
“The goal is that by the end of next year, we are in eight cities across Australia,” Sargeant expressed. She hopes that the Young Australian of the Year accolade will propel her mission forward. “I think that this recognition is really hopefully going to supercharge that. My goal is that in every major… Australian town and city, women are properly recognised, commemorated and respected.”
Sargeant’s commitment to illuminating these stories stems from her belief that they are crucial to understanding Australia’s identity. “Australian history is so much more interesting than you think,” she remarked. “It explains who we are. If we want to carve a different path for ourselves, we need to look at our history and draw out some of the more diverse things that have been suppressed.”
In the same ceremony, former rugby player **Ben Alexander** received the title of **2026 Local Hero** for the ACT. After his career with the **Brumbies** and **Wallabies**, Alexander has dedicated himself to mental health advocacy. He co-founded **Running for Resilience** (R4R), which aims to make Canberra suicide-free by **2033**. His initiative promotes community engagement through weekly runs and walks, encouraging people to connect while improving their mental health.
“Every week, hundreds join free runs and walks across Canberra to boost their physical and mental health,” Alexander noted, expressing his delight at the growing participation. The program is set to expand interstate and potentially internationally in the near future.
Alexander emphasized the importance of community in mental health discussions, particularly among men. “Mental health, I believe, is actually just nervous system health,” he explained. He aims to reshape the conversation around mental health to resonate more effectively with men, who may not identify with traditional mental health terminology.
Also honored during the ceremony was **Rose McGready**, a migrant and refugee health expert who has spent over **30 years** providing vital health services to displaced populations in the border region between Thailand and Myanmar. Additionally, **Heather Reid**, a football pioneer, was acknowledged as the **2026 Senior Australian of the Year** for the ACT, recognized for her contributions to women’s football both locally and nationally.
With these awards, Sita Sargeant and her fellow recipients illustrate a commitment to change and recognition of the diverse contributions that shape Australian society. As Sargeant continues her mission to highlight women’s stories, her journey from dropout to awardee serves as an inspiring example of how passion and determination can redefine narratives and foster community understanding.
