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Our Ambassadors

The Ambassador Program is the cornerstone of local Australia Day celebrations. Each year over 300 Ambassadors generously volunteer their time and energy to visit regional and metropolitan areas across the nation to inspire and unite communities. Our SA Ambassadors connected with 28 Councils and communites in January 2023 and traversing over 9500 km across our state.

Meet our Australia Day Ambassadors

ADCSA Member Councils are encouraged to request an Ambassador for their 2025 Australia Day events.
The full list of Ambassadors is available here, and if you have any questions about the program, an FAQ sheet is accessible here.

Alexandra Seal

Young Citizen of the Year 2024

Alexandra is a dedicated and passionate advocate for social justice, community service and environmental sustainability, demonstrating active citizenship and enhancement of community life through various platforms, both within and without her school.
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Anthony Fioravanti

Superintendent - State Intelligence Branch

Superintendent Anthony Fioravanti is currently the Officer in Charge of State Intelligence Branch.  His career has spanned nearly 42 years and career highlights have included 18 years in the Special Task and Rescue Group and previous postings as the Officer in Charge of Barossa Yorke Local Service Area, South Coast Local Service Area, Western Adelaide Local Service Area, Eastern Adelaide Local Service Area, STAR Group, Traffic Support Branch and Western District.
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Anthony Hart

Anthony Hart

Mental Health Advocate & Nominee South Australian Local Hero 2022

In November 2003, Anthony Hart made a significant attempt on his life. Through a remarkable stroke of luck, he clung onto life and survived. Since then, Anthony has been on a mission to empower men to identify and address challenges before they escalate into serious mental health issues.
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Bill Denny AM BM

Bill Denny AM BM

Veteran, Community Advocate & SA Nominee Senior Australian of the Year 2022

Bill’s deep and long-standing commitment to the ex-service community has been demonstrated through his role as Chair of the RSL ANZAC Day Committee, Chair of the ANZAC Day Commemoration Council and as founder of the ANZAC Eve Youth Vigil.
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Christine Robertson OAM

Co-founder of Lost Pets of South Australia & creator of the Chipblitz program: South Australian Citizen of the Year 2023

Christine co-founded the Lost Pets of South Australia charity in 2013 to reunite lost pets with their families. The volunteer organisation uses social media and its connections with the RSPCA and other animal welfare groups to get lost animals back home.
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Clancy Luscombe

Professional Swimmer

Clancy was proud to represent his country at the 2022 Junior World Open Water Championships in the Seychelles and the 2023 Youth Commonwealth Games in Trinidad and Tobago
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Craig Scott OAM

South Australian Citizen of the Year 2021

Craig was President of the Goodwood Saints for six years 2017 – 2022. His vision and guidance have seen the development of a female football program that now boasts 7 teams and was instrumental in the setting up of the Inclusive football team back in 1992, which ensures players with integration difficulties – including mental and physical disabilities – are entirely integrated within the club.
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Daljeet Bakshi

Journalist, media professional and community leader

Daljeet Bakshi is an accredited journalist, media professional and community leader with over a decade of experience in guiding organizations to effectively engage with their target audiences, convey key messages, and enhance operational efficiency.
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Dr Felicity-ann Lewis

Community Leader & 2014 SA Australian of the Year

A dedicated, dynamic leader, Dr Felicity-ann Lewis is passionate about creating a better, healthier, more inclusive Australia
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Dr Peter Cahalan

Strategist in the tourism and cultural sector

Dr Peter Cahalan retired in 2021 after a long career in museums and the tourism industry.
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Dr Robert ‘Bob’ Irving

Dr Robert ‘Bob’ Irving

Veterinarian, SA Nominee Senior Australian of the Year 2019

For 28 years veterinarian surgeon Dr Bob Irving spent half of each year travelling to Aboriginal remote communities in the Anangu-Yankunyjatjara-Pitjantjatjara (AYP) lands in South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory to treat sick animals, mostly dogs.
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Dr Trudy Lin

Young South Australian of the Year 2022

Dr Trudy Lin, awarded Young Australian of the Year for South Australia in 2022, and one of ten everyday Australians selected to represent Australia at Queen Eliabeth the II’s funeral
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Dr Victoria Cox

Medical doctor, PhD researcher, community health advocate, and record-breaking open water swimmer.

Victoria successfully co-authored a submission to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme to include ivermectin as a first-line treatment for scabies for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia
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Edgar Agius OAM

A Civic leader and a Maltese Community Leader

Edgar joined the Maltese Guild of SA in 1974, serving as President from 1999 to 2007. Currently and for the past 16 years, he has been President of the Maltese Community Council of SA heading a Community Council represented by all the Maltese community leaders in SA.
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Gill Golding

South Australian Citizen of the Year 2024

Gill is an inspirational leader who feels the pulse of her community in Hackham West and the hardship it faces as a low socio-economic area ranking in the top 3 percentile of disadvantaged suburbs nationally, with significant levels of disadvantage across a myriad of social indicators.
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Glyn Scott

Founder, Love Hope & Gratitude Foundation, 2024 SA Senior Australian Of The Year Nominee

Glyn Scott survived years of violence and sexual abuse – first as a child and later in her first marriage. In 2006, Glyn gave evidence to the Children in State Care Commission of Inquiry about her childhood experience of sexual abuse.
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Ian Smith

Veteran, historian, author

Ian retired from the Army in 2012 and has since been active within the veteran community. In June 2022 he launched a well-received book about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from South Australia who have served in the Australian armed forces, titled “For Love of Country
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Ingrid Kennerley

Mental Health Advocate & 2019 South Australia Citizen of the Year

After her husband’s suicide, Ingrid displayed incredible strength and resilience, guiding her children through the tragedy, and maintaining her volunteering and support roles that are so vital to small communities.
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John Raymond Shepherd AM

Former Executive Director, Operation Flinders; currently Senior Consultant, The Sapling Connection & General Manager, LBI Foundation

John spent twenty-five years within major branches of the S.A. Police Department. Formerly the Executive Director of the Operation Flinders Foundation, which runs a world leading wilderness adventure program for young offenders and young people at risk.
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Kaitlin Purcell

2021 Inspiring South Australian Women’s Award Recipient - Commendation Emerging Leader

At just 16 years old, Kaitlin was awarded a highly commended certificate from the Order of Australia Association.
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Kate Swaffer

Kate Swaffer

Author and Advocate for Living Beyond Dementia. 2017 SA Finalist Australian of the Year

Kate Swaffer (MSc, BPsych, BA, Ret. Rtd. Nurse) is a researcher, activist, consultant, author and co-founder of Dementia Alliance International. She is currently a PhD candidate at the University of South Australia.
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Kylan Beech

Young Citizen of the Year 2024

Just before Kylan Beech’s 14th birthday, he lost his mother, Tammy, to cancer. Rather than focusing on his grief, Kylan became determined to help ensure others would not have to experience the same tragedy.
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Lynn Hill

Lynn Hill

Co-founder of Dragon Boat Racing for survivors of Breast Cancer

Lynn grew up in Adelaide, owned her own business and was a keen volunteer with Schools and Charities. She was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in 2000 and from then her journey began into raising awareness of cancer in the sport of Dragon Boat Racing.
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Mark Le Messurier

Educator, Counsellor, Author & SA State Recipient Senior Australian of the Year 2022

Mark Le Messurier has devoted his life to improving the self-worth, wellbeing, mental health and life outcomes of young people. He focuses on those he calls the ‘tough kids’ – those who are struggling in some capacity.
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Michael O’Connell AM APM

Michael O’Connell AM APM

Consulting Victimologist, SA Nominee Australian of the Year 2020

Michael strives to ensure victims are heard, their rights fulfilled and needs met. He lectures and writes in the field of victimology and holds degrees in social science and public policy and administration, plus diplomas in victimology and criminology.
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Monique Bareham

Lymphoedema Advocate and Leader and SA State Recipient Local Hero 2022

At 52, Monique Bareham is described as a ‘powerhouse’ lymphoedema advocate, yet thirteen years ago her world was shattered by a cancer diagnosis. Like many who endure cancer treatment, she was left with lymphoedema. Her symptoms were immediate and severe enough to end her career.
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Nasir Hussain

Diversity Advocate & President of Muslim Australian Connections of South Australia

Since migrating to Australia in 2006, Nasir has devoted himself to building bridges between Muslims and the wider Australian society.
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Nicki Brunton

Youth Advocate and founder of The Patchwork Parent

Nicki is a passionate advocate for families and teens, using her lived experience of childhood trauma and parenting challenges to support others.
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Professor Helen Marshall AM

Professor Helen Marshall AM

Vaccination researcher & SA State Recipient Australian of the Year 2022

Professor Helen Marshall AM is one of Australia’s most celebrated and recognised vaccination researchers. Specialising in vaccinology, public health and infectious diseases at the University of Adelaide’s Robinson Research Institute, Helen has been involved in game-changing studies that have had a global impact. 
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Professor Jennifer McKay AM

Professor Jennifer McKay AM

Professor - Business, Law and Environment

Professor Jennifer McKay AM is an academic lawyer with a passion for research to celebrate some but reform other laws to achieve a sound and clean environment for future generations.
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Professor Rob Morrison OAM

Professor Rob Morrison OAM

Scientist, former host of The Curiosity Show, SA State Recipient Senior Australia of the Year 2008

Rob has had a dual career as academic and science broadcaster and writer. He is currently a Professorial Fellow at Flinders University. He has written more 40 books and co-written 13 more on science and natural history.
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Ralph Clarke

Industrial Relations Consultant former Shadow Minister and Councillor for Adelaide City Council

Ralph began his career in Industrial Relations as a union official for the Federated Clerks Union. He then became President of that union and served on other national union organisations.
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Ranielson Santana

Inclusion Advocate & Community Leader

Ranielson Santana’s journey from Recife, Brazil to Australia exemplifies resilience and dedication. Arriving in 2018 as an international student with English as his third language, Ranielson faced significant challenges.
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Richard Bruggemann

Disability advocate & SA State Recipient Senior Australian of the Year 2021

At 80 years old, Richard Bruggemann is continuing to make a difference to the lives of people living with an intellectual disability.
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Samoda Silva

Samoda Silva

Recipient Award for Leadership in Languages and Cultures 2021

Samoda speaks four languages; English, Sinhala, Italian and Japanese, which in combination made her the recipient of the 2021 Australia Day Council Leadership in Languages Award. Samoda was also a recipient of the Order of Australia Association Student Citizenship Award in 2020 for her contributions to her school and local community. 
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Sobia and Irfan Hashmi

Local Heroes of the Year 2025, pharmacists and migrant community leaders

Over 20 years, Sobia Hashmi and husband Irfan have transformed healthcare in remote and rural communities in South Australia.
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Sophie Thomson

Community-focused advocate, media professional, and environmental leader.

Sophie Thomson’s infectious enthusiasm continues to inspire countless people of all ages to put their green thumbs to good use – for the sake of the environment, their families’ enjoyment, and their own wellbeing.
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Stella Braund

Mental Health and Social Justice Advocate and nominee for South Australian of the Year 2024

Stella Braund uses her lived experience of childhood domestic violence and sexual assault -at home and in institutional settings – to improve people’s lives.
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Stephen Hedges

Recipient of South Australia’s Award for Active Citizenship 2022

Stephen Hedges has become an acknowledged expert on the Little penguin colony on Granite Island. He has made an outstanding contribution to penguin research, first as a tour guide for more than 20 years, and then as a research assistant with Flinders University, and the BirdLab for 10 years.
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Wayne Anthoney OAM

Actor, theatre director and teacher

Wayne trained as a scientist at Adelaide University, graduating in 1962, and worked with early computers until opting for a different career path in 1974, involving acting, writing, clowning and comedy.
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Our Ambassadors

Our Ambassadors are inspirational and deeply respected community leaders within South Australia.

These individuals embrace communities, share insights from their varied lived experiences, reflect on who we are as a nation and celebrate our diversity.

The benefits of having an Australia Day Ambassador at Australia Day celebrations include –

  • The opportunity for local community to meet and listen to Australians who have distinguished themselves by their contribution to their country
  • They are a drawcard for regional celebrations
  • The chance to hear stories of the Ambassador’s achievements which illustrate the many opportunities Australia offers
  • The opportunity to reinforce the diversity of achievers in Australia

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The Australia Day Council of South Australia acknowledges the Adelaide region as the traditional country of the Kaurna people and respect Elders past, present and emerging. We recognise and respect their cultural heritage, beliefs and relationship with the land.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are warned that this website may contain images and voices of deceased persons.

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