We have a new Australian of the Year, and she’s literally trained to leave the planet. 

Astronaut and space engineer Katherine Bennell-Pegg has made history as the first person to qualify as an astronaut under the Australian flag.

Today we sit down with Katherine to celebrate her already impressive career, and find out what the next 12 months as Australian of the Year look like ahead. 

And in headlines today, Police are investigating after a potential explosive device was thrown into the crowd at an invasion day rally in Perth; Scorching heatwave conditions continue to grip Victoria, SA and parts of NSW, keeping authorities on high alert; Israel has ‍retrieved the remains of the last remaining hostage held ​in the Gaza Strip; Video of ICE shooting victim Alex Pretti show him giving tribute to veteran; Raper Kanye West has issued an apology for years of erratic behaviour and antisemitic rants claiming it was due to bipolar disorder

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Share your story, feedback, or dilemma! Send us a voice note or email us at thequicky@mamamia.com.au

CREDITS

Hosts: Taylah Strano & Claire Murphy

Guest: Katherine Bennell-Pegg, Australian of the Year 2026

Audio Producer: Lu Hill 

Group Executive Producer: Ilaria Brophy

We have a new Australian of the Year, and she&rsquo;s literally trained to leave the planet.&nbsp;
Astronaut and space engineer&nbsp;Katherine Bennell-Pegg has made history as the first person to qualify as an astronaut under the Australian flag.
Today we sit down with Katherine to celebrate her already impressive career, and find out what the next 12 months as Australian of the Year look like ahead.&nbsp;
And in headlines today, Police are investigating after a potential explosive device was thrown into the crowd at an invasion day rally in Perth; Scorching heatwave conditions continue to grip Victoria, SA and parts of NSW, keeping authorities on high alert; Israel has &zwj;retrieved the remains of the last remaining hostage held ​in the Gaza Strip; Video of ICE shooting victim Alex Pretti show him giving tribute to veteran; Raper Kanye West has issued an apology for years of erratic behaviour and antisemitic rants claiming it was due to bipolar disorder
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/thequicky/"></a><a href="https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe/?utm_source=shownotes&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_campaign=quicky" data-stringify-link="https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe/?utm_source=shownotes&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_campaign=quicky" data-sk="tooltip_parent">Support independent women's media</a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/thequicky/"></a>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/thequicky/">Check out The Quicky Instagram here</a>
<a href="https://theconversation.com/are-ghost-stores-haunting-your-social-media-feed-how-to-spot-and-avoid-them-260583"></a>GET IN TOUCH Share your story, feedback, or dilemma!&nbsp;<a href="https://help.mamamia.com.au/en-US/send-a-podcast-voice-note-467960" data-stringify-link="https://help.mamamia.com.au/en-US/send-a-podcast-voice-note-467960" data-sk="tooltip_parent">Send us a voice note </a>or email us at <a href="mailto:thequicky@mamamia.com.au">thequicky@mamamia.com.au</a>
CREDITS
Hosts: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/taylahkatestrano/">Taylah Strano</a> &amp; <a href="https://www.instagram.com/clairemurphyyukich/"></a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/clairemurphyyukich/">Claire Murphy</a>
Guest:&nbsp;Katherine Bennell-Pegg, Australian of the Year 2026
Audio Producer:&nbsp;Lu Hill&nbsp;
Group Executive Producer: Ilaria Brophy

Do you find the news cycle overwhelming?  Depressing? Confusing? Boring? Endless?
Then you need The Quicky.   Mamamia's daily podcast that gets you up to speed on the top stories, then deep dives on one topic you want to know more about.  
It's the easiest and most enjoyable way to get across the news every day.

The Quicky

Do you find the news cycle overwhelming? Depressing? Confusing? Boring? Endless?

Then you need The Quicky. Mamamia's daily podcast that gets you up to speed on the top stories, then deep dives on one topic you want to know more about.

It's the easiest and most enjoyable way to get across the news every day.

Do you find the news cycle overwhelming? Depressing? Confusing? Boring? Endless?
Then you need The Quicky. Mamamia's daily podcast that gets you up to speed on the top stories, then deep dives on one topic you want to know more about.
It's the easiest and most enjoyable way to get across the news every day.

Minnesota ICE Crisis & The Rise of Australia’s First Astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/3ea926be-9be7-482a-8ac3-a44f016e43d1/clips/9ed17240-59f3-4d62-b618-b3de005c6da3/transcript