EMHS doctor Haseeb Riaz named WA Young Australian of the Year
Royal Perth Hospital Doctor Haseeb Riaz.
17/11/2025
Royal Perth Hospital Doctor Haseeb Riaz, alongside his friend Gareth Shanthikumar, has been named 2026 WA Young Australian of the Year.
They co-founded MAN UP where young mentors visit 15-year-old boys in WA high schools to talk to them about communicating openly with each other and building their mental health.
So far, 45,000 sessions have been run since 2020.
Working today on a surgical ward at RPH, Dr Haseeb, who has two younger sisters, his mother and his partner to talk with, encouraged young men to seek female role models.
"Putting the onus on young men to encourage each other to simply listen and engage with females in their lives makes them more empathic," he said.
“Learn to regulate your emotions, be accountable for what you do and say, and call others out when you see poor behaviour.
“It’s cool to be vulnerable, to show emotions and be an individual.”
Haseeb looks forward to going to Canberra in January 2026 for the Australian of the Year celebrations.
For more info, see Dr Haseeb Riaz and Gareth Shanthikumar | Australian of the Year
Last Updated:
05/12/2025