Over 420 guests attended the 2024 Australian of the Year Awards for South Australia presentation evening in the William Magarey Room, Adelaide Oval on Wednesday 1 November 2023. This incredible night acknowledged extraordinary individuals – truly celebrating how great South Australians can be when we are at our best.
We thank the ADCSA Patron Her Excellency The Hon Frances Adamson AC, Governor of South Australia for presenting the awards for 2024 SA Local Hero and 2024 SA Young Australian of the Year. We also thank The Hon Peter Malinauskas MP, Premier of South Australia for presenting the awards for 2024 SA Senior Australian of the Year and 2024 SA Australian of the Year.
Attendees experienced stunning musical performances from St Aloysius College, Elizabeth McCall, Julian Ferraretto and the Pocket String Quartet. Congratulations is extended to our 2024 Nominees and Recipients for SA Australians of the Year.
Read more about these exceptional South Australians and join us in cheering on our State Recipients as they gear up to represent our state at the national Australian of the Year Awards on January 25! Their journey is a testament to the strength and spirit of our community.
Tim Jarvis AM is an environmental scientist, author, filmmaker, and philanthropist. He works on practical solutions to climate change and biodiversity loss. In South Australia, he leads the Forktree Project to restore farmland and prevent rare native plants from going extinct. He holds leadership roles at Fauna & Flora WWF-Australia, Koala Life, and the Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife.
Meredith Evans, a Sister of Mercy, provides compassionate care to refugees, young people, and women facing homelessness or violence. She founded Young Mercy Links in South Australia and advocates for social justice. Meredith was crucial in reviving important movements like Justice for Refugees SA and the Young Christian Workers Movement. She also co-founded a support group for refugees in Adelaide and supports the Jesuit Refugee Service in Cambodia.
Tiahni Adamson is an Aboriginal woman passionate about sustainability. She leads community engagement at CH4Global, integrating Indigenous knowledge into climate change solutions. Tiahni has worked with CSIRO and trained under Al Gore as a Climate Reality Leader. She’s a national leader at Seed, a youth climate justice group, and contributes to the Uluru Statement from the Heart. Tiahni is one of Science and Technology Australia’s Superstars of STEM and a 2023 InDaily South Australian 40 Under 40 honoree.
Rachael Zaltron OAM founded Backpacks 4 SA Kids in 2013. Today, the organisation provides emergency kits, clothing, and essentials to children aged 0-16 facing crises like family violence or homelessness. They also support families restarting after domestic violence and aid young people aged 12-25 experiencing homelessness. Over 86,000 South Australian children have been assisted since 2012.
Nominees 2024 SA Australian of the Year
Stella Braund, Mental health advocate, 2024 SA Australian of the Year Nominee
Nominees 2024 SA Senior Australian of the Year
Professor Frances Baum AO, Health equity advocate, 2024 SA Senior Australian of the Year Nominee
Glyn Scott, Founder, Love Hope & Gratitude Foundation, 2024 SA Senior Australian of the Year Nominee
Nominees 2024 SA Young Australian of the Year
Qasem Bahmanzadah, Ambassador, mentor and volunteer, 2024 SA Young Australian of the Year Nominee
Kylan Beech, Fundraiser, Cancer Council, 2024 SA Young Australian of the Year Nominee
Nominees 2024 South Australia’s Local Hero
Chris McDermott, Founder, Little Heroes Foundation, 2024 SA LOCAL HERO NOMINEE
Jack Nixon, Volunteer, state emergency services 2024 SA Local Hero Nominee
Pauly Vandenbergh, Co-founder, Tjindu Foundation 2024 SA Local Hero Nominee
