As travellers, we often talk about “reaching new heights,” but Katherine Bennell-Pegg, our 2026 Australian of the Year, has taken that concept quite literally.
Her journey is the ultimate travel itinerary. It began in her Sydney backyard, gazing at the stars. It took her to the prestigious halls of Sydney University, then across the globe to Europe to complete two master’s degrees, and eventually to the European Space Agency in Germany, where she became the first Australian woman to graduate as an astronaut.
While she has lived a life of global exploration, Katherine remains deeply grounded in the Australian landscape. When she isn’t training for the cosmos, she calls Adelaide home, volunteering at the West Beach Surf Life Saving Club which shows no matter how far we roam (or how high we fly), there is nothing like the Australian coastline.
On accepting the award from Prime Minister Anthony Albenese in Canberra last night, she said: “That imperative to look to the sky and wonder, to innovate and explore is an ancient one on this continent.
“Australia’s First Nations peoples’ deep connection to sky country reminds us that looking up has always been part of who we are. I’m humbled to be recognised amongst the absolutely incredible Australians in the room tonight, and beyond.”
A Journey Still in Progress
Katherine’s story reminds us why we travel: to push boundaries, to learn from the world, and to bring that knowledge back home. Seeing the Australian flag on her flight suit in Germany was, in her words, “emotional,” because it signalled that Australia is finally taking its place at the forefront of human endeavour.
The Road Ahead
However, every seasoned traveler knows that the path isn’t always smooth. While we celebrate Katherine’s incredible milestone, the recent Australia Day Honours list revealed a detour we still need to fix: only one-third of the recipients were women.
At Women Love Tech, we celebrate the bold women who explore the unknown. Katherine is the ultimate explorer, but her achievement highlights the need for more female trailblazers to be recognised here on solid ground.
Katherine Bennell-Pegg has shown us that the sky isn’t the limit—it’s just the beginning. Now, let’s ensure the journey toward equal recognition for all Australian women continues at full speed.
