South

Australia
ADEL AIDE OVAL
Monday 12 October 2020
 Message
from the
Governor
This year, 2020, has been a very challenging time.

South Australians have risen to the occasion and our State

remains one of the safest places to be in the world.

This is a solid testament to the strong community spirit here in

South Australia. We believe in the common good, look after one
another and pursue excellence in everything we do.

This year’s nominees for the Australian of the Year Awards

exemplify these ideals.

They lead by example, dedicating their time, knowledge

and experience for the benefit of others. To read their stories,
learn about their work and hear of the challenges they have
overcome, is an uplifting experience.

I offer my sincere thanks and heartfelt congratulations to each

and every one of the nominees, for the outstanding contribution
they make to our State.

They are an inspiration to us all.

His Excellency the Honourable Hieu Van Le AC

Governor of South Australia

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 Message
from the
Premier
The Australian of the Year Awards provide the
opportunity for us to celebrate and acknowledge
the people who have greatly contributed to the
South Australian community.

On behalf of the Government of South Australia,

I’d like to thank the Australian of the Year nominees
from our state. The community have nominated
you as highly-respected role models, who have
made a significant contribution to our society.

Every nomination is worthy of our admiration and

recognition.

The strength of our state heavily relies on our

citizens, and it’s inspirational to see these leaders
within our community sharing their time, knowledge
and expertise to benefit others.

Congratulations, and best wishes to all the

nominees.

The Honourable Steven Marshall MP

Premier of South Australia

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 Message from
the Chair
I am delighted to welcome you to the presentation of the 2021 Australian
of the Year Awards for South Australia.

The Australian of the Year Awards celebrates the achievements and

contributions of Australia’s finest – leaders who inspire us and who make a
positive difference to the lives of others.

Every year, members of the public join the search for the next Australian
of the Year, nominating people from all walks of life who inspire them.
By putting someone forward, their nomination shows that the efforts of
a fellow Australian have not gone unnoticed. I would like to extend my
thanks to all those who nominated, as without their help, we would not be
here tonight.

From the thousands of people nominated around the country, 128

Australians have progressed to this next phase, recognised by their state or
territory for their outstanding achievements. This is no small feat. Tonight, we
celebrate 16 of these remarkable people, who represent the best of South
Australia.

I would like to congratulate all the nominees for their dedication, passion
and their contributions to our country. It is a pleasure and an honour to
celebrate you here tonight, and I wish you all the very best.

Mr Peter Tsokas
Chair, Australia Day Council of South Australia

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 Russell
Ebert OAM
RESPECTFUL REL ATIONSHIPS
ADVOCATE
Former footballer Russell Ebert OAM is a
legendary figure with the Port Adelaide
Football Club. A four-time winner of the
Magarey Medal, awarded to the best
and fairest player in the South Australian
National Football League, he’s considered
one of the club’s greatest players of all
time.
Today, Russell continues to give back to the
club and the South Australian community
through his leadership of the club’s Power
Community Ltd (PCL) youth programs. He is
particularly passionate about PCL’s Power
to End Violence Against Women (PTEVAW)
program, which he delivers to Year 10
students around the state.
Developed with Centacare Catholic
Family Services and the South Australian
Department for Education, PTEVAW
challenges gender-based attitudes and
promotes respectful relationships and an
end to domestic violence. The program
has reached more than 5,000 students
since starting in 2016.
Russell is also a passionate supporter
of children living with disabilities and is
a fundraising ambassador for disability
services organisation, Novita.
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Rodney
O’Brien
KAURNA CULTURAL ADVISOR
AT THE UNIVERSITY OF
ADEL AIDE
A proud member of the Kaurna and
Adelaide Aboriginal community, Rodney
O’Brien is passionate about sharing his
knowledge, experiences and language with
Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people alike.
Rod provides cultural support to young
Aboriginal people, drawing on his firsthand
experience of the difficulties Indigenous
students can face in a predominantly
Western society. He also provides cultural
awareness for non-Indigenous students and
staff to enable them to contribute more
meaningfully towards reconciliation.
Rod creates a welcoming and non-
judgemental space that nurtures
engagement with Aboriginal history,
language and culture. He has played
a vital role in the development of the
university’s recently launched Kaurna
Learning Circle. Rod has also advocated
for the uptake of Kaurna language and
Welcome to or Acknowledgement of
Country as standard university practice.
Rod dedicates his free time to several
committees, including the Kaurna Warra
Karrpanthi Aboriginal Corporation, Kaurna
Yerta Aboriginal Corporation, and Kura
Yerlo Inc.
Craig
Scott
PRESIDENT OF GOODWOOD
SAINTS FOOTBALL CLUB
President of Goodwood Saints Football
Club (Goody Saints), Craig Scott has been
a driving force in the club for more than 43
years.
Thanks to Craig’s vision and guidance,
everyone is welcome and valued at
Goody Saints. Craig has championed the
SANFL Inclusive League, ensuring players
with integration difficulties including
mental and physical disabilities are wholly
integrated into the club. Junior players are
also developed at Goody Saints – with no
tryouts or cuts.
Craig has steered the club to actively
support social justice issues. These include
opportunities for the homeless from the
Hutt Street Centre and supporting causes
like the Red Shield appeal, breast cancer
and mental health awareness, and White
Ribbon Day. The team also acknowledges
and supports Indigenous causes.
A police officer outside the club, since
1994 Craig has been involved in Operation
Flinders, a new direction for at-risk youth.
His encouraging communication style and
strong leadership have helped create
a stronger, healthier and more resilient
community.
Melanie
Tate
CEO AND FOUNDER PUDDLE
JUMPERS INC.
Melanie Tate is the CEO and founder of
Puddle Jumpers Inc, which provides food
and welfare services to some of South
Australia’s most at-risk children.
Founded in 2012, Puddle Jumpers helps
children living away from their birth parents
form positive childhood memories through
experiences like camps, activity days and
mentoring programs. The charity also offers
practical support to vulnerable families who
might otherwise fall through the cracks – with
access to free food, clothing and essential
household items at their weekly Community
Food Nights.
At the start of the pandemic, Puddle
Jumpers adapted and expanded its
services to meet unprecedented calls
for help from families in need. Since then,
they’ve provided drive-by food collections
in nine locations throughout South Australia,
handing out thousands of hampers to
families and individuals doing it tough.
Melanie volunteers countless hours to the
organisation, inspiring hundreds of others to
do the same. Through her dedication, she
makes an enormous difference to the lives
of thousands of South Australian children
and families.
 Alicia
Beik
B U SI NES S WOMAN AND
M I G RANT AC TIVI ST
Businesswoman and community activist
Alicia Beik is passionate about migrant
communities and affordable housing.
Alicia arrived in Australia as an asylum
seeker and like most of the teenage
migrants, she was overwhelmed by
challenges and barriers. After working
in various occupations, she found her
passion for social and affordable housing.
Therefore, she joined the Anglicare South
Australia in Humanitarian Settlement
Program to assist new arrivals with social
housing inquiries. She witnessed the need
for affordable accommodation and that
motivated her to launch the Affordable
Sustainable Housing Program (ASHP).
Alicia worked with academics,
government, builders, and communities to
find sustainable and affordable solutions
for building new homes. Today, ASHP
provides more than 200 affordable homes
to vulnerable and low-income families in
the city of Playford Council, for as little as a
$3,000 deposit, giving these new Australians
a place to call home.
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Isobel
Marshall
SOCI AL EN T REP REN EU R
At just 18 years of age, Isobel Marshall has
launched a social enterprise business to
help women around the world by breaking
down stigma around menstruation and
providing greater access to hygiene
products.
With business partner Eloise Hall, she
co-founded TABOO after crowdfunding
$56,000 to launch their range of products
in August 2019. TABOO sells high quality,
ethically sourced, organic cotton pads and
tampons to an Australian market, with 100
per cent of net profits going to One Girls
– a charity providing education programs
for girls and women in Sierra Leone and
Uganda.
Locally, Isobel and TABOO have
partnered with Vinnies Women’s Crisis
Centre, providing free access to pads
and tampons for women who require
emergency accommodation in South
Australia. Recognising period poverty
is not just a big city issue, they also
support the Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara
Yankunytjatjara Women’s Council.
Isobel is also a full-time student at the
University of Adelaide, where she is
studying a Bachelor of Medicine (MBBS)
and a Bachelor of Surgery.
Tori
Marshall
F OU N DER A N D D I R E C TO R
OF L I F T U P V O I C E S
Tori Marshall is the co-founder and
director of Lift Up Voices (L.U.V) and the
Lift Up Voices Foundation. In her work as a
vocalist, songwriter, and sound engineer,
Tori has worked alongside well-known
musicians in Los Angeles, and had her
music featured in television and film.
Having a twin sister with a disability, Tori
wanted to provide inclusive opportunities
to explore the creative arts. A registered
NDIS provider, L.U.V delivers group
programs incorporating singing, song
writing, recording, production, music and
podcasting, to build confidence and social
connection.
The L.U.V Foundation, a not for profit
organisation with a mission to give a voice
to those who need it, recently launched
the L.U.V. BLM (black lives matter) Initiative
in the United States. The initiative provides
training in song and movie creation, giving
youth in marginalised communities the
tools to tell their own stories through the
creative arts.
Tori has also delivered programs and
initiatives in schools, orphanages and
organisations in Jamaica and Los Angeles.
Holly
Scott
R O A D S A FE TY A D V O C ATE
In July 2017, 22-year-old Holly Scott began
a 40-minute drive to her boyfriend’s house
but didn’t arrive. Minutes from his home,
her boyfriend found her car wrapped
around a tree.
After emerging from a 15-day coma, Holly
had to learn to walk and talk again. As
well as affecting her speech, balance and
vision, the accident shattered her pelvis,
fractured vertebras, and broke her hip,
tailbone and both legs.
Holly has used this traumatic experience
to educate others about the devastating
effects of car accidents. Her accident and
recovery are the subject of a seven-part
web documentary, ‘Driven’. And in 2019,
Holly shared her emotional story twice with
8,000 people, mostly school students, at the
RAA Street Smart event.
Holly continues to do public speaking
engagements on road safety and
education to schools and other community
groups. She has returned to the same brain
injury ward where her recovery began to
share her story and started a Facebook
group to support people with a brain injury.
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 Professor Richard
Bruggemann
D I SA BILIT Y AD VOCATE
At 76 years old, Professor Richard
Bruggemann is continuing to make a
difference to the lives of people living with
an intellectual disability.
Throughout his career, he has provided
expert advice to governments on disability
services, legislation, inclusion and rights.
He is a dedicated volunteer, has sat on
more than 20 non-government boards
and committees, and is a prolific writer
on topics of concern for the disability
community.
This year, he was called on by the South
Australian Government to join the special
taskforce investigating the tragic death of
cerebral palsy sufferer, Ann Marie Smith.
Richard was also appointed to a new
government role to assess the temporary
orders to protect people living with a
cognitive or mental impairment from the
spread of the COVID-19 virus.
His ongoing leadership has helped create
a community service system that helps
people with intellectual disability and their
families enjoy a better quality of life.
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Pamela
Catcheside
MYCO L OG I ST
At 58 years old, retired teacher Pamela
Catcheside launched her second
profession as a mycologist. Over 22 years,
she has built an international reputation as
a specialist in macrofungi, (larger fungi).
Less than half of Australia’s macrofungal
species have been formally described. In
her voluntary role as Honorary Research
Associate, Pamela has added more than
4,500 specimens into the State Herbarium
of South Australia and described new and
threatened species.
With husband David, Pamela surveys
macrofungi across the state, focusing
on Deep Creek Conservation Park
and Kangaroo Island. Australian and
international scientists use her collections
for taxonomic and evolutionary studies.
Pamela is an Adjunct Lecturer at Flinders
University, is on the South Australian
Women’s Honour Roll and was the 2010
Unsung Hero of South Australian Science.
She volunteers her time, giving workshops,
lectures, talks, writing articles and popular
blogs on the importance of fungi to
the biosphere.
Peter
Mungkuri OAM
A R T I ST A N D C ULTUR A L
L EA DER
Peter Mungkuri OAM is a celebrated South
Australian artist who uses his art to share his
lived experience as an Anangu man.
Born in 1946, Peter lived a traditional
lifestyle before working on nearby cattle
stations as a highly regarded stockman.
He is now a dedicated artist, working daily
at the Iwantja Arts Centre in Indulkana
Community.
Peter’s work displays his knowledge of
country and Anangu culture and his
experiences working the land. His art
has been acquired and exhibited by
domestic and international institutions
and collections including Art bank, the
Art Gallery of South Australia, Foundation
Opale, and the Art Gallery of NSW.
In 2017, Peter was the inaugural winner of
the Hadley Landscape Art Prize. In 2018,
he won the General Painting Award at
the 35th Telstra National Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander Art Awards, and he
was a finalist in the 41st Alice Prize: National
Contemporary Art Awards in 2020.
Through his art and local engagement
with younger generations, Peter helps
ensure connection to country and cultural
practice is preserved.
Dr David
Squirrell
A D V O C ATE FO R THE
V I S I O N I MPA I R E D
Dr David Squirrell is a tireless volunteer
supporting South Australia’s blind and
blind-deaf community. Since retiring as a
medical consultant due to his own loss of
sight and hearing, he has represented and
lobbied for the vision impaired community
at every level of government, with humour,
empathy and understanding.
As President of the Adelaide branch of
Blind Citizens Australia, he has successfully
lobbied for changes that help empower
the vision impaired, the blind-deaf
community, and people with other
disabilities. These have included ensuring
appropriate signage in public places,
guide and service dog toilet facilities at
Adelaide Airport, tactile markers on city
and suburban streets, and advocacy for
the blind in hospitals and medical facilities.
David is actively involved in multiple
committees and boards to ensure a voice
for the vision impaired, many of whom
also have other complex disabilities.
His advocacy helps provide greater
independence for the vision impaired,
in society.
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 Tanya
Hosch
L E A D ER, C HANGE MA KER
A N D V IS IO NARY
Tanya Hosch is the first Indigenous person
and second woman appointed to the AFL
executive. She has held leadership roles in
sport, the arts, culture, social justice and
public policy.
One of the pre-eminent Indigenous leaders
pursuing constitutional recognition of
Australia’s First Nations people, Tanya’s
principled leadership is transforming the
AFL – advancing women, Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander people, gender-diverse
Australians and the entire community.
Tanya championed the first Indigenous
player statue of Nicky Winmar and
instigated a review of anti-vilification policy
within the code. She helped secure an
apology for Adam Goodes from the AFL
and delivered a new industry framework to
help prevent racist treatment of players.
Tanya also helped found advocacy
organisation The Indigenous Players
Alliance. She drove a new respect and
responsibility policy enabling women to
seek redress for unacceptable behaviour,
and a world-first gender diversity policy
for a contact sport. In 2020, she drove a
hugely successful social media campaign
aimed at informing and protecting
Indigenous communities from COVID-19.
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Jennifer
Howard
CEO AN D F OU N DER OF
SAFE P ET S SA F E FA M I L I ES
When Jennifer Howard escaped a violent
relationship in her 20s, she was forced to
leave her pets behind. Tragically, she never
saw them again.
A single mum-of-three, Jennifer has
dedicated seven years of her life to
creating the registered charity Safe Pets
Safe Families. The organisation provides
emergency services for people and their
pets in times of crisis, such as domestic
violence, homelessness, mental illness and
medical emergencies.
Jennifer’s passion, dedication and work
ethic has seen Safe Pets Safe Families grow
from an idea to an organisation of 450
volunteers. Since its founding, it has helped
more than 800 clients and 1,000 animals.
Jennifer is now working to make every
domestic violence shelter pet friendly – and
to raise awareness about the link between
animal abuse and family violence.
Research shows many women delay
leaving a violent relationship if they have
nowhere to take their pets. Jennifer’s work
has enabled many to leave and seek
safety, knowing their animals will be
cared for.
Dr Joy
O’Hazy
DOC T OR A N D I N I TI ATO R O F
BI R T H I N G K I TS
Every year, 295,000 women around the
world die from pregnancy and childbirth
complications. And almost 2.5 million
newborns die within a month.
After discovering that many could survive
with access to a few basic and clean
items, Adelaide doctor Joy O’Hazy
decided to act. After four years of
research, she created the Birthing Kit – a
zip-lock bag containing gloves, string,
gauze, soap, a sterile razor blade and a
plastic sheet.
In 1999, Joy’s Adelaide Hills Zonta Club, a
women’s service organisation, assembled
the first birthing kits, which were distributed
in Papua New Guinea.
This launched the Zonta Birthing Kit
project which evolved into the Birthing
Kit Foundation (now KIT International),
which has distributed more than 2 million
birthing kits and trained more than 10,000
traditional birth attendants.
Joy has dedicated her life professionally
and as a volunteer to helping women and
refugees in Australia and overseas. She
currently mentors young members of the
South Sudanese community through the
Gloria Health Association.
Professor Nicola
Spurrier
C HI E F P UB L I C H E A LTH
O FFI C E R , PA E D I ATR I C I A N
A N D P HY S I C I A N
During COVID-19, South Australia has been
one of the safest places in the world. The
Chief Public Health Officer, Professor Nicola
Spurrier, has been instrumental in the state’s
effective virus response.
Nicola led the SA Health, Health
Regulation and Protection Division in its
highly successful public health strategy.
She co-ordinates with government and
non-government agencies and has been
the South Australian lead on the national
pandemic response.
In daily press conferences, Nicola has kept
the public informed about the pandemic
response. Her calm, honest and direct
approach and sound public health advice
have gained the trust of South Australians.
Nicola has also educated community
groups, councils, professionals and
clinicians in countless forums and
sessions to ensure they are informed
and up-to-date. Throughout COVID-19’s
monumental challenges, Nicola has
acted professionally, strategically and
compassionately.
Nicola has 29 years’ experience in SA
Health, developing and implementing
policies and programs across child health,
obesity prevention and Aboriginal health.
15
The Awards The making of the
process awards

The Australian National University (ANU) is committed to better outcomes for our
community, the environment, our nation and the world. As the national university, we feel
immensely privileged to be the exclusive cultural partner of the 2021 Australian of the Year
Awards recognising the outstanding service to the community that many Australians make.

This year we have developed original artistic and musical works to recognise Australia’s
highest achievers for the National Australia Day Council. The trophies for the 2021
Australian of the Year Awards are the stunning result of a collaborative effort by staff and
students of the Glass Workshop in the ANU School of Art & Design.

The geometric nature of the design aims to represent the multiple facets that have shaped
Australian society, embodying a nation that is confident in its leadership, contemporary
in its outlook and distinguished by its diverse community. The facets also capture the
points of the Southern Cross, the star of federation, and are rendered in a brilliant blue
symbolising the Australian sky.

Each award has been created through a process of cast glass, and meticulously ground
and polished by hand. The awards have been a wonderful project for students to apply
their creative and technical skills to complete a professional commission.

ANU School of Music students have also contributed theme music for the Australian of the
Year Awards, which will be used throughout the state and territory announcements.
Recognising South Thank you to our
Australia’s finest partners
Since 1960 the Australian of the Year Awards have recognised people from all
across the country and from all fields of endeavour. This is just a snapshot of the
recipients from South Australia for the past five years. The full honour roll can be
viewed on our website, australianoftheyear.org.au.

2020 Dr James Muecke AM Eye Surgeon and blindness prevention pioneer

2019 Dr Richard Harris SC OAM Specialitst anaesthetist and cave diver
2018 Professor David David AC Craniofacial surgeon
2017 Kate Swaffer Author and advocate for living beyond dementia
2016 Dr John Greenwood AM Burns surgeon
Department of Home Affairs

2020 Sylvia McMillan Volunteer

2019 Reginald Dodd Reconciliation advocate
2018 Barbara Spriggs Campaigner to prevent abuse of aged care patients
2017 Patricia Buckskin PSM Indigenous educator
2016 Monica Oliphant AO Scientist

2020 Zibeon Fielding Runner, cyclist and fundraiser

2019 Eleni Glouftsis Australia’s first female AFL umpire
2018 Kyran Dixon Role model for Indigenous youth
2017 Paul Vasileff Acclaimed fashion designer and businessman
2016 Arman Abrahimzadeh OAM Domestic violence campaigner

2020 Emmah Money Cystic fibrosis advocate

2019 Megan McLoughlin Advocate for organ donation
2018 Andrew Costello Charity founder and community champion
2017 Reginald George Heading International agriculturist
2016 Claire Foord Stillbirth educator

* Names and post nominals of recipients in the Honour Roll are a reflection of the time they
received the Award.