Two Murdoch University environmentalists are among 16 outstanding individuals from across the state who have been nominated for the 2027 Australian of the Year Awards for Western Australia.

Professor of Practice (Indigenous Environmental Conservation) Michael Wear has been nominated for the WA Australian of the Year, while marine ecologist and science communicator Kurt Krispyn has been nominated for the WA Young Australian of the Year.

Professor Wear, a Malgana man from Shark Bay (Gathaagudu), has spent more than 30 years establishing large scale marine restoration projects to protect the region’s diverse ecosystems.

As the founder of the Indigenous-owned business Tidal Moon, Professor Wear has established a sea cucumber harvesting enterprise which combines sustainable resource management with research into the health benefits of sea cucumbers.

He has also teamed up with leading seagrass expert Professor Jen Verduin to lead the biggest seagrass restoration project ever undertaken in Australia.

Mr Krispyn is a marine scientist and content creator at Murdoch University’s Harry Butler Institute, who strives to make science more accessible and meaningful to the general public.

Mr Krispyn founded Paramount Importance, a science communication platform connecting researchers with the public via podcasts, documentaries, educational films, social media, and live experiences.

Earlier this year for World Seagrass Day, he produced and hosted the world’s first live underwater podcast off Rottnest Island, allowing students and the public to interact with scientists beneath the ocean in real time, creating an immersive experience that brought marine science directly to audiences.

The 2027 Western Australia award recipients will be announced on Friday 30 October 2026 in Perth.

The Western Australia award recipients will then join recipients from the other states and territories as finalists for the national Australian of the Year Awards, announced in Canberra on 25 January 2027.

The full list of nominees can be found at https://australianoftheyear.org.au/