The 2023 Australian of the Year Awards Presentation Evening for South Australia was a stunning event.
We congratulate each and every nominee for their extraordinary contributions to our State and Nation. These individuals are all deserving and collectively they each have made such a difference to our communities – all are skillful, determined achievers and community members who lead by example, who inspire and encourage others and who gather positive community force with their unique, sometimes subtle, leadership and courage. They make up the fabric of our strong democratic society here and make a difference locally, nationally or globally. These Awards celebrate Australians who have made a difference to our country and reflect the very best of our nation.
Thank you to those individuals that were able to attend the ceremony on 10 November and for those that watched through the livestream link – we are grateful for your support. If you missed this experience click here.
We acknowledge the people who were in the final four selection in each category and especially honour all of the successful recipients –
2023 Australian of the Year (SA) Finalists:
Taryn Brumfitt – Body image activist, director, writer and speaker – SA State Recipient Australian of the Year 2023
Professor Christopher Daniels PHD DSC FAICD – Environmentalist, zoologist and science communicator
Andrea Madeley – Lawyer and workplace safety advocate
Marie Elizabeth Shaw QC – Philanthropist and co-founder, Ice Factor program
2023 Senior Australian of the Year (SA) Finalists:
Sandra Miller – Aboriginal rights activist, advocate for Indigenous health and welfare – SA State Recipient Senior Australian of the Year 2023
Margaret Fischer AM – Co-founder of Feast Adelaide Queer Arts & Cultural Festival
Eric Lewis Siggurs – Volunteer, Technology for Ageing and Disability SA
Eugenia Tsoulis OAM – CEO at Australian Migrant Resource Centre; founding member of Settlement Council Australia
2023 Young Australian of the Year (SA) Finalists:
Awer Mabil – Professional soccer player and co-founder of Barefoot to Boots – SA State Recipient Young Australian of the Year 2023
Josh Cavallo – Professional soccer player and equality champion
Felicity Graham – Author, advocate and CEO at Fostering Change Australia
Zainab Kazemi – Multicultural advocate and volunteer
2022 Local Hero (SA) Finalists:
Christine Robertson – Co-founder of Lost Pets of South Australia and creator of the Chipblitz program – SA State Recipient Local Hero 2023
Neil Robert Davis – Keynote speaker and co-founder of Sammy D Foundation
Elizabeth Habermann – Voluntary assisted dying advocate
Marigold White – Co-founder of Uniity
Socceroo Awer Mabil is co-founder of the not-for-profit organisation Barefoot to Boots, which aims for better health, education, policies and gender equality for refugees. He can now add SA State Recipient Young Australian of the Year 2023 to his list of achievements. Awer was unable to join us for the presentation evening as he was representing Australia in Spain in the World Cup. However, Awer’s family Agot Dau Atem, Michael Adu Atem and David Amol attended the event and proudly accepted the award on his behalf.
