2026 Award for Leadership in Languages and Cultures

The Award for Leadership in Languages and Cultures recognises outstanding young people who have demonstrated leadership and commitment to advocacy for a multilingual and culturally diverse Australia. This Award is provided by the Minister for Education, Training and Skills, The Honourable Blair Boyer MP, through the Multicultural Education and Languages Committee (MELC) and administered by […]

2026 Inspiring South Australian Women’s Award

The Inspiring South Australian Women’s Award showcases the extraordinary dedication and achievements of women who uplift their communities, often without receiving the recognition they deserve. This esteemed Award underscores invaluable contributions in both voluntary and paid roles. The 2026 ceremony at Government House celebrated five remarkable women whose unwavering leadership and commitment are driving meaningful […]

2026 Citizen of the Year Awards South Australia

2026 Citizen of the Year Awards South Australia – Celebrating Community Leadership and Connection Across South Australia – The Citizen of the Year Awards South Australia, a flagship program delivered by the Australia Day SA, recognises individuals and community groups who strengthen local communities through leadership, service and innovation. Presented in partnership with 68 Councils statewide, the 2026 Awards highlights outstanding contributions in education, volunteering, emergency service, youth leadership and major community events.  […]

Australia Day Ambassadors Across the State

Mayor Dean Johnson District Council of Kimba and ADCSA Ambassador Sophie Thomson

The Ambassador Program is the cornerstone of Local Australia Day experiences in the lead up to and on 26 January 2026. Our ADCSA Ambassadors help bring communities together across South Australia by supporting local events, attending ceremonies, and sharing the spirit of connection, inclusion and pride. This January 2026 our SA Ambassadors connected with 24 […]

Mourning In the Morning 2026 — Our Continuing Journey

Close to 3,000 people gathered at Elder Park / Tarntanya Wama for Mourning in the Morning, a respectful and inclusive First Nations-led ceremony shaped by South Australian Aboriginal leaders. Guided by the theme Our Continuing Journey, the Morning held space for Mourning and truth-telling, while affirming the living strength, resilience and continuity of First Nations […]

Australia Day: A moment to reflect on our stories and the country we love

Every year, as 26 January approaches, I am reminded that Australia is a nation built on many stories — ancient stories, inherited stories and stories still being written. They do not always align. Sometimes they sit alongside one another in tension. Yet together, they shape the country we love. The world we are moving through […]

Australia Day Program Update

MOURNING IN THE MORNING CEREMONY TO PROCEED AT 7.30AM AUSTRALIA DAY EVENING PROGRAM NOW CANCELLED 25 January 2026: The Australia Day Council of South Australia has last night confirmed that the Mourning in the Morning Ceremony  will proceed as planned, however the flagship evening event for Australia Day, Aus Lights on the River at Elder […]

Inspiring South Australian Women Impacting the World and Beyond – Women in Defence

It was with great pleasure that the Australia Day Council of South Australia launched the next iteration of our Inspiring Women Series, Inspiring Women Impacting the World and Beyond – Women In Defence – held on Thursday 4 September at U City. This extraordinary opportunity amplified women whose careers represented the culmination of years, often decades, of […]

Resilience in Action

Resilience in Action: a surfing champion, cave rescuer and youth advocate inspiring students to lead with purpose. From leading world-renowned rescues and empowering youth voices to surviving and thriving after trauma, three of Australia’s most extraordinary individuals headlined the Inspiring Australians Student Summit at Riverbanks College on Thursday, 21 August 2025.  The Inspiring Australians Student […]

‘Where to From Here?’ – Empowering Young Citizens Forum

On Monday 21 July the Australia Day Council of SA proudly brought together, young changemakers from across South Australia at LG House for the inaugural ‘Where to From Here?’ – Empowering Young Citizens Forum. Over 50 Young Citizens of the Year recipients from member Councils across South Australia, and local leaders, came together to build […]