Stephen Hedges

Recipient of South Australia’s Award for Active Citizenship 2022

Stephen Hedges has become an acknowledged expert on the lifecycle of the Little Penguin colony on Victor Harbor’s 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 almost 10 years.  

His voluntary work assisting in the colony’s survival has not only added to an enhanced understanding of the factors affecting their decline by helping to collect crucial information, but also by communicating the science and the unknowns to Local and State Governments, conservation groups and the community.  Stephen became Senior Environmental Advisor to the company leading the Granite Island Causeway Project providing expert, practical advice on mitigating the risk of disturbance to the Little Penguins. He worked for the City of Victor Harbor as organiser/leader of penguin tours, and as a mentor/technical adviser to staff on the resilience of local marine bird and reptile species. 

Stephen has a broad range of other community interests, including volunteer work as a citizen scientist with Kangaroo Island/Victor Harbor Dolphin Watch. While Art teacher at Victor Harbor High School, he raised environmental awareness within the school before it was fashionable with his philosophy of reduce, reuse and recycle featuring in his lesson activities 

Meet our Ambassadors

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.

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

Chris Schacht

Former Senator & President of Volleyball Australia

Chris is a former President of the Australian Volleyball Federation and an elected representative to the Legal Commission of the “Federation Internationale de Volleyball”. He is also a board member of numerous worthwhile organisations.

Pat Rix

South Australian Local Hero, 2007

A respected artistic director with significant experience creating collaborative community and mainstage productions in South Australia, the United States and Southeast Asia.
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.
Christine Robertson

Christine Robertson OAM

Co-founder of Lost Pets of South Australia, Creator of Chipblitz program & SA State Recipient Local Hero 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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