Nominated for the 2026 AMARI Gala. Winners announced at the ceremony.
2026 Nominees
The calibre, named.
The most gifted founders, artists, athletes and industry leaders in the country, shortlisted across eleven categories. Switch years to read the 2025 shortlist alongside the 2026 nominees.
2026 AMARI Icon
Fred Alale, AM.
The 2026 AMARI Icon Award honours Fred Alale, AM. For two decades he has built the institutions that carry African Australia. Co-Founder and Chair of the African Music and Cultural Festival, now in its eleventh year and the largest African gathering in the country, drawing more than fifty thousand to Federation Square. Mentor to a generation of African Australian professionals through the Victorian Public Service African-Australian Mentoring Program. Board member of the Victorian African Communities Committee, Africa Day Australia, The Huddle at North Melbourne Football Club, and the Music Australia Council.
Athlete
Athlete of the Year
4 nomineesMusical Artist
Musical Artist of the Year
6 nomineesEntrepreneur
Entrepreneur of the Year
4 nomineesBusiness
Business of the Year
4 nomineesContent Creator
Content Creator of the Year
6 nomineesPerforming Artist
Performing Artist of the Year
4 nomineesVisual Artist
Visual Artist of the Year
4 nomineesIndustry Innovator
Industry Innovator
5 nomineesTrailblazer
Trailblazer of the Year
4 nomineesSocial Impact
Social Impact Award
4 nomineesSpotlight
Spotlight Award
6 nominees
2025 AMARI Icon
Zione Walker-Nthenda.
The 2025 AMARI Icon Award honoured Zione Walker-Nthenda. An Australian lawyer, broadcaster and public sector executive with two decades of experience across the legal and public sectors. A career spanning organisational governance, ethics and public administration, with seats on multiple state and federal government advisory committees and reference groups. A social entrepreneur with a practitioner's understanding of how institutions are built and held accountable, now a member of the AMARI Advisory Board, bringing expertise in governance, legal frameworks, and the intersection of public policy and organisational leadership.
Athlete
Athlete of the Year
4 nomineesMusical Artist
Musical Artist of the Year
4 nomineesEntrepreneur
Entrepreneur of the Year
4 nomineesBusiness
Business of the Year
4 nomineesContent Creator
Content Creator of the Year
6 nomineesPerforming Artist
Performing Artist of the Year
4 nomineesVisual Artist
Visual Artist of the Year
4 nomineesIndustry Innovator
Industry Innovator
4 nomineesTrailblazer
Trailblazer of the Year
4 nomineesSocial Impact
Social Impact Award
4 nomineesSpotlight