Dr Graham Farquhar has been named the Senior Australian of the Year for 2018.

Dr Farquhar was the Australian Capital Territory finalist and is one of the nation’s most eminent scientists, celebrated for his work to improve food security.

“Dr Farquhar’s development of drought-tolerant wheat varieties has been felt around the world and his efforts over many decades have helped lift agricultural production and include research into photosynthesis and how plants work. He has received many previous accolades, including the international Kyoto Prize in 2017 and the Prime Minister’s Award for Science in 2015.

The State and Territory finalists were: