Nominees for the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards for South Australia were recently announced, with competitors including a veterans advocate, a storyteller cultivating inclusion and celebrating diversity, a speech pathologist, a conservationist, a beloved cook and the sound designer behind some of Australia’s most recognised film soundtracks.
The nominees include veterans advocate Paul Broadbridge, health researcher Professor Marion Eckert and public health expert Dr Mohammad Afzal Mahmood.
Nominees for 2026 Senior Australian of the Year for South Australia include meteorological researcher Malcolm Benoy, sound designer James Currie, cookery teacher Rosa Matto and inspirational conservationist Dr David Paton AM.
Nominees for the 2026 Young Australian of the Year for South Australia include author and storyteller Hayley Frazer, speech pathologist Amelia Griffin, humanitarian and educator Amira Shahin and mental health advocate Chloe Wyatt-Jasper.
Nominees for the 2026 Local Hero for South Australia include women prisoner supporters Linda Fisk and Anna Kemp, mental health podcaster Callum MacPherson, palliative care supporter Ella Stratton and community leader Ayesha Fariha Safdar.
The nominees for South Australia are among 134 people being recognised across all states and territories.
The South Australia award recipients will be announced on Friday, 14 November 2025 in a ceremony at the National Wine Centre in Adelaide, which will also be available to watch online at australianoftheyear.org.au.
They will then join other state and territory recipients as finalists for the national awards announcement on 25 January 2026 in Canberra.
National Australia Day Council CEO Mark Fraser AO CVO congratulated the nominees for the South Australia awards.
“The nominees for the South Australia awards are extraordinary in their respective fields and endeavours,” Fraser said.
“Humanitarians, advocates for those in need, researchers transforming lives through technology, and those who have devoted their lives to their passions, causes and art.”