Monbulk lawyer, engineer, scientist, and author, Professor Arnold Dix, was named a Victorian Finalist for the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards at a ceremony last night,Thursday, 10 November, at the Leaper Family Pavilion, Arts Centre Melbourne, alongside three other extraordinary Victorians.
The awards celebrate the achievements of Victorians who have made an extraordinary impact on their communities and the nation.
In a Facebook post ahead of the event, Professor Dix said he was, “thrilled and deeply humbled to be named a Victorian Finalist for the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards alongside three extraordinary Victorians.”
“I’m just a bloke who helps keep us all safe underground, helps dig tunnels, and tries to get people home safely too. This is a proud day for us nice people, the hardworking majority.”
Professor Dix attended the awards ceremony alongside nominees, guests, and media, where winners were revealed in four categories including, Local Hero, Young Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year, and Australian of the Year.
During an interview with Star Mail reporter, Shamsiya Hussainpoor, Professor Dix reflected on what the recognition means for everyday workers.
“It’s humbling to be recognised, but I’m really just one of many people doing meaningful work quietly every day,” he said.
“Throughout my career, I’ve been driven to help communities facing natural disasters and to understand the forces of our environment so we can be better prepared. Every rescue, research project, and community effort is a collaboration, and I hope this recognition encourages others to step forward and contribute where it matters most.”
The Monbulk Professor, who has spent decades combining his expertise in engineering, law, and science to keep people safe underground, described the honour as “belonging to all those who contribute selflessly to their communities.”
“It’s wonderful recognition for all the kind miners, tunnellers, paramedics, police, and other volunteers and good people around the world,” he said.
Reflecting on his role in the 2023 Himalayan tunnel rescue, where 41 trapped workers were safely brought home, Professor Dix emphasised the importance of teamwork.
“I didn’t rescue anybody, I was part of a team,” he said.
“There were probably 200 of us that were essential for the rescue. We were like a big jigsaw puzzle, and without any one piece, it wouldn’t have worked.”
When asked what drives him, Professor Dix said his passion lies in celebrating the decency of everyday life.
“I wake up in the morning, look in the mirror and think, it’s another day, I’m happy to be alive, I celebrate being a civilised human being in the 21st century,” he said.
“The world around me is predominantly fantastic, people are decent, kind, and good, we just don’t make much noise about it.”
In the same Facebook post, he wrote, “Nice is the new black,” explaining that kindness should be seen as a strength rather than a weakness.
“Being nice requires strength, if you want to be nice, it’s going to take more effort than being unkind,” he said.
Professor Dix said he was honoured to share the recognition with such compassionate fellow finalists.
“No matter who gets to represent us at the Australian of the Year, I know they’re going to have a big kind band on them,” he said.
“They’re all really lovely people motivated by kindness and decency.”
For him, the occasion was made even more special by sharing it with those closest to him – his mother, wife, sister, and a lifelong mentor, who joined him at his table for the awards dinner.
“It’s really lovely for Mum to see some celebration of the decent things I do while she’s alive to see it,” he said.
“If you want to know what being a decent person is, stand in front of the mirror and imagine what your five-year-old self would tell you – we already know the answers.”
While Professor Dix was celebrated as a finalist, the Victorian award went to Carrie Bickmore OAM for her outstanding contribution to brain cancer research, alongside other remarkable Victorians recognised in various categories.
