As CEO of Defeat Diabetes, I’m thrilled – though, let’s face it, hardly surprised – to announce that my friend, mentor and Defeat Diabetes founder, Dr Peter Brukner, has been awarded the prestigious 2025 Senior Australian of the Year Victoria award.
This recognition isn’t just another feather in his cap. It’s a well-earned salute to a man who has spent a career selflessly improving the health of others and is the unofficial poster boy for adopting low carb for managing type 2 diabetes.
Peter has always been one to push boundaries. His achievements read like a “how-to” for revolutionising health and wellness and could wrap around the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Early on, he founded the Olympic Park Sports Medicine Centre, which is now Australia’s largest. This landmark centre has become a training ground for healthcare professionals and a go-to place for athletes and everyday Aussies needing world-class treatment.
His career went international when he co-authored Clinical Sports Medicine, which quickly became the bible of sports medicine and a go-to reference for health professionals worldwide.
Victoria’s 2025 Senior Australian of the Year – Dr Peter Brukner OAM. © Salty Dingo 2024
Victoria's 2025 Australian of the Year Awardees: Aishwarya Kansakar, Neale Daniher AO, Jasmine Hirst, Dr Peter Brukner OAM. © Salty Dingo 2024
Peter then took his expertise to the field, serving as team doctor for elite sporting teams like the Socceroos, the Australian cricket team, and Liverpool Football Club. Each role saw him shape how athletes approach their health, blending cutting-edge research with practical care—the living definition of a game-changer.
Then came his defining pivot: after a devastating diagnosis of prediabetes, Peter followed the science and embarked on a personal experiment, adopting a low carb approach to see if it would impact his health.
Within three months, he’d reversed his type 2 diabetes, lost 13 kilos and acquired a burning passion to share his new-found knowledge with the world and tackle the crisis of type 2 diabetes head-on.
As a pioneer of the low-carb movement in Australia, Peter’s mission with Defeat Diabetes is simple yet radical: cut the carbs, eat real food, and reclaim hope. The results speak for themselves: Two in three Defeat Diabetes members report a return to non-diabetes blood glucose. More than 12,000 members have transformed their lives and reduced their risk of chronic disease through his novel approach.
Peter has reshaped medical practice by challenging outdated diet and chronic disease beliefs. In 2023, he was invited to present at the Parliamentary Inquiry Into Diabetes, and his work was recognised by Diabetes Australia, which partnered with Defeat Diabetes as a solution for those wanting to improve blood glucose management.
What’s most inspiring about Peter is that he doesn’t just talk about health; he lives it. His mission isn’t just to treat diabetes but to eliminate it completely.
At Defeat Diabetes, we’re more than lucky to have him – we’re better because of him. This award may say “Senior Australian of the Year,” but in our eyes, Peter is nothing short of a national (low carb) treasure.
