Stephen Hedges has combined his long-term passion in education, biodiversity and community involvement to lead him to becoming a highly respected public speaker and was the 2022 SA Active Citizen Award winner for his advocacy and research for the Granite Island penguin colony.

Recently the volunteer group he formed, in conjunction with Flinders University, became the 2025 SA Citizen Science Award winners.

The environment was always a priority during his 45-year teaching career with programs, courses and activities that continue today with many schools, visits and out of school projects. Since working with penguins and people he has travelled extensively to gather current information and check on their health, populations and welfare.

He has been an advisor on engineering projects, often called on by media, employed by private educational groups, works in conjunction with the Dept of Environment and Water and is a member of a number of other South Coast volunteer groups.

Stephen spent 20 years as a tour guide on Granite Island building up experience in local marine life, especially penguin behaviour. Monitoring of penguins locally has been crucial with so much human interaction at such a popular tourist location.

Currently he is employed part time by Flinders University to monitor the penguins, work with university students, manage and support the volunteer group that go out every night and he also keeps records of injured or deceased birds that can crop up along the Southern coastline.

He would like to stress how important and valuable the whole concept of volunteering is in this incredible country and how many lifestyle positives can come from working together, especially in the natural world that we are all obviously a part of.