Dr. Daniela Vecchio has been named the 2026 Australian of the Year for Western Australia, lauded for her groundbreaking work in mental health by establishing Australia’s first publicly funded gaming disorder clinic in 2022. Her initiative addresses the growing issue of gaming addiction with children and teens. She understood this challenge from her time as executive director of mental health services at Fiona Stanley Hospital. Dr. Vecchio is passionate about helping reconnect children with their families, friends and communities. Instead, she provides them a precious opportunity to restore equilibrium to their lives.
The awards ceremony honored other remarkable individuals, including Professor Kingsley Dixon AO, who received the title of Senior Australian of the Year for his significant contributions to native plant conservation. Dr Haseeb Riaz and Gareth Shanthikumar were awarded the Young Australians of the Year. They were recognized for their extraordinary educational service, Man Up.
Dr. Daniela Vecchio’s Trailblazing Initiative
Dr. Vecchio’s work and clinic represents a pivotal step towards tackling a rising mental health crisis. As kids’ digital engagement has skyrocketed since the pandemic, many have become more addicted to social media and video games than ever before. This disquieting trajectory stoked the fires of enactment in Dr. In response, he founded the nation’s first hospital dedicated to treating gaming addiction.
Her vision doesn’t stop at providing quality treatment. She hopes to create a more comprehensive culture of mental health that focuses on reconnecting people with their local networks of supports. Dr. Vecchio knows that building these relationships is a key part of healing and civic vibrancy and resilience for the future.
“Without our nature we have no healthy country, we have no healthy culture, and we will rob our future generations of the joys that I’ve enjoyed.” – Dr. Daniela Vecchio
Recognizing Conservation Efforts
Professor Kingsley Dixon’s acknowledgement as Senior Australian of the Year brings to light his long standing efforts in native plant conservation. In 1992, he achieved the impossible. His discovery that smoke promotes germination in Australian fire-following plants after bushfires had huge implications for ecological restoration.
Professor Dixon estimates that reestablishing the flora at the Nicolay-1 site will take in the range of hundreds of thousands of dollars. Continued challenges from the cause of environmental rehabilitation are further complicating this effort. He’s passionate about the need to provide stewardship to our native ecosystems, and he says,
“The place we call home is also the home to countless other species and their future sits in our hands.”
Professor Dixon’s commitment to conservation and environmental education showcases how individual efforts can lead to broader societal benefits.
Empowering Young Minds
Through research and practice, Dr. Haseeb Riaz and Gareth Shanthikumar has made great strides in prioritizing mental health. They are fighting barriers to gender-based violence through their campaign – Man Up. Since its launch, the program has held over 45,000 sessions reaching 22,000 boys from remote, regional and metropolitan areas of Western Australia.
Their model works by empowering young men to explore identity, relationships, and emotional literacy. They open up about the difficulties they’ve faced while moving from high school into adulthood. Their personal stories encourage others to stand against society’s definitions of masculinity.
“The biggest thing that they say is that ‘I’m glad I can challenge what I thought was just accepted,’” said Dr. Riaz.
The influence of positive male role models is nothing short of powerful, with Dr. Riaz saying,
“It’s quite powerful having a male role model that’s positive.”
Their campaign does more than empower young men. It helps realize a vision of healthier relationships and communities where everyone can thrive.
