From ultramarathon runner to national inspiration | Nedd Brockmann wins Young Australian of the Year

Ultramarathon runner Nedd Brockmann has been named Young Australian of the Year for 2026, recognising his fundraising efforts for people experiencing homelessness.

The electrician from Forbes, NSW, became the fastest ever Australian to run the 3,900km from Perth to Sydney. He completed the run in 46 days and raised $2.6 million.

Mr Brockmann then went on to start Nedd's Uncomfortable Challenge, which challenges people to choose something that makes them uncomfortable and stick with it for 10 days.

His passion to do something about homelessness began when he would travel to TAFE each week and see people sleeping rough in Sydney's CBD.

00:00 Nedd Brockmann named 2026 Young Australian of the Year by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
00:44 Nedd on his goal to end homelessness
01:06 We Are Mobilise founder and CEO Noah Yang on rates of rough sleepers in Australia
01:52 Running 50 marathons in 50 days and 3,900km across Australia
02:40 Launching Nedd's Uncomfortable Challenge
03:13 Nedd Brockmann's impact
04:21 Nedd Brockmann fights back tears as he begins his acceptance speech
05:10 Nedd reflects on John Farnham's 1988 Australian of the Year Award acceptance speech
05:55 "Why is it that 122,000 Australians sleep rough every night?"
06:50 Australia's first direct cash transfer program for people experiencing homelessness
07:42 Nedd Brockmann pledges to use his award to further the campaign to end homelessness

Australian of the Year Awards — Stream now on ABC iview: https://ab.co/AusOfTheYear26

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