Geraldton author Holden Sheppard nominated in the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards as WA local hero

Award-winning Geraldton author Holden Sheppard has been nominated as a WA local hero in the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards. One of 134 people nominated across Australia, Sheppard joins a distinguished group of West Australian high achievers who have made their mark on the State. “I was really thrown to be nominated for an award of this calibre,” Sheppard told the Geraldton Guardian. “Being a country boy, a Gero boy from Spalding, I just didn’t really think that something like this would happen to someone from my background. “I’m a little bit thrown and feeling a little bit of imposter syndrome, but ultimately, just very honoured and feeling quite humbled that the work that I do, that I’m passionate about, has been recognised as being important.” Sheppard’s debut novel Invisible Boys — drawn from his own experience growing up gay in Geraldton — has been turned into a 10-part Stan original series filmed in Geraldton. The 37-year-old author was nominated for his “distinctive” literary voice as well as “generous mentorship, authentic LGBTQIA+ representation and fearless mental health advocacy”. He has also championed greater diversity and ethical standards in publishing, and taken a national stand on AI ethics. The WA winners will be announced on November 13 at a ceremony at Government House in Perth. They will join other State and Territory recipients as finalists for the national awards on Australia Day in Canberra. On his chances of heading to Canberra, Sheppard was pragmatic. “I’m taking it as LGBTQIA+ representation that’s authentic in stories matters, I’m taking it that mental health awareness for rural men matters,” he said. “If I look at it through that lens, I’m feeling like this is a sign that these stories matter not just on a State scale, but also a national scale. “When things like this happen, I hope that it does let country people know, country kids especially, that you can be an artist, and you can follow your dreams and end up with your work being meaningful and receiving recognition.” The other three nominees in the local hero category are Indigenous construction leader Frank Mitchell, founder of Mettle Women Inc Bronwyn Bate and paediatric audiologist and co-founder of Earbus Foundation Dr Lara Shur. “Bronwyn and Frank and Lara, who are the other local hero nominees, they’re doing really important work and I’m like, ‘Hey, I write books’. So, yeah, just I feel like I’m in very, very good company and I feel humbled to be in that presence,” Sheppard said. National Australia Day Council CEO Mark Fraser said the WA nominees were “extraordinary people”. “They are entrepreneurial in their approach to helping others, changing public perceptions, creating positive futures and bringing people together,” he said. Sheppard is in the middle of copy edits for his fourth novel, Yeah The Boys — a sequel to Invisible Boys. While keeping tight-lipped about the details, he said the new book “has been referred to by my publisher as the rebellious big brother of Invisible Boys.” 2026 Australian of the year for WA Dr Gareth Baynam (clinical geneticist) Kennedy Lay (Founder, Fly2Health Group) Dr Daniela Vecchio (digital addiction and gaming disorder specialist) Dr Tracy Westerman AM (Indigenous mental health pioneer) 2026 Senior Australian of the year for WA Esme Bowen (disability changemaker) Professor Kingsley Dixon AO (world-leading botanist) Martin Meader (Born To Sing choir director) Griff Morris (sustainable housing designer) 2026 Young Australian of the year for WA Alexis McDonald (wellness platform founder) Brooke McIntosh (mental health fundraiser) Rodrigues Niyongere (community football coach) Dr Haseeb Riaz and Gareth Shanthikumar (positive masculinity educators) 2026 local hero for WA Bronwyn Bate (founder, Mettle Women Inc) Frank Mitchell (Indigenous construction leader) Holden Sheppard (award-winning author) Dr Lara Shur (paediatric audiologist)