A long-serving social justice advocate from West End has been named among Queensland’s nominees for the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards.
Background On The 2026 Awards
Queensland nominees for the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards were announced ahead of the state ceremony held on 12 November 2025 at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre. The recipients will go on to represent Queensland at the national announcement on 25 January 2026 in Canberra.
Karyn Walsh AM, based in West End, was listed as one of four nominees for the 2026 Senior Australian of the Year for Queensland.
West End Nominee’s Career And Contribution
Walsh is the CEO and co-founder of Micah Projects, an organisation established in 1995 to support people experiencing adversity. Her work has focused on housing, healthcare and social supports for Queenslanders facing homelessness, domestic violence, mental illness and substance use.
Her roles have included serving as president of the Queensland Council of Social Services. She was recognised with an honorary Doctor of Social Work and Nursing in 2016 and an honorary Professorship of Social Work in 2025. She also became a Member of the Order of Australia in 2017.
State Recipients For 2026 Announced
Queensland’s 2026 award recipients were confirmed on 12 November 2025. Cheryl Harris OAM was named the Senior Australian of the Year for Queensland. Walsh remained one of the recognised nominees for her long-standing work in social justice and community support.
Wider Nominee List For Queensland
Other nominees in the Senior Australian of the Year category included Gerald Garard and Habib Mahomed Jamal. The nominees across all categories represented fields such as mobile health care, volunteer engagement, multicultural advocacy, conservation and community recycling initiatives, as outlined in the official announcements.
Ongoing Community Impact
Walsh continues her work with Micah Projects, which delivers support services aimed at addressing homelessness and social disadvantage. Her service remains widely acknowledged across the community sector.
Published 14-Nov-2025
