Luca Brasi's Tyler Richardson Nominated For 2026 Australian Of The Year

Tyler Richardson, lead singer of the Tasmanian rock band Luca Brasi, has received a different kind of award nomination—and his bandmates are proud.

Richardson is a 2026 Tasmanian Australian of the Year nominee for his success as a campaigner with the Hazzy Forever Foundation and fundraiser for lifesaving cancer treatments.

While his son received treatment for neuroblastoma, Richardson and other families began lobbying for an expensive and potentially lifesaving cancer treatment from the US to be added to Australia’s Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. Due to the success of the campaign, people living with cancer in Australia can now access the treatment for free.

In addition to his campaigning, Richardson has raised funds that support children and families affected by cancer. As the singer of Luca Brasi, he’s headed charity gigs for bushfire victims and Guide Dogs Tasmania. He also works as Tasmania’s first-ever Lifeline Ambassador, raising awareness about mental health and suicide prevention.

He’s listed as an Australian of the Year nominee thanks to his “leadership, generosity and using his voice (in more ways than one) to advocate for change,” which makes a genuine difference to numerous communities.

The winners of the state-by-state Australian of the Year will be announced in January 2026.

Following his nomination, Richardson’s bandmates expressed being “proud as hell” of their singer.

“It’s hard to describe how proud we are of our mate, Tyler,” the band shared.

They continued, “Through the Hazzy Forever Foundation, he’s created something truly special — a legacy of awareness, compassion, and change. His strength and heart have inspired so many.

“He's not gunna like this but we're proud as hell to say that he's been nominated for The Australian of the year. Go follow @hazzyforeverfoundation ❤️.”

In 2023, Luca Brasi started a GoFundMe fundraising campaign on behalf of Richardson after his young son, Harris, was diagnosed with cancer.

At the time, Richardson and his wife, Alix, were gearing up for a sudden move to Melbourne, where Harris could begin receiving treatment at a children’s hospital. Last year, Richardson and his family appeared on A Current Affair, lamenting the broken healthcare system they had encountered.