SOUTH AUSTRALIA
South Australian Community Achievement Awards
2025 Finalists
Check out the 2025 Finalist announcement:
Beyond Bank Community Group Award
Disaster Relief Australia of Wayville combines military precision with community compassion to provide prompt response. They are a veteran-led volunteer organisation transforming disaster recovery and community resilience. Growing to 431 trained volunteers in 2024, the team provides professional-grade support long after emergencies end, helping communities rebuild from bushfires, floods, and local crises often overlooked by traditional services. Their Short-Term Operations program delivers rapid, hands-on assistance, from restoring homes and clearing debris to supporting veterans, wildlife sanctuaries, and vulnerable residents. They also offer meaningful pathways for veterans and emergency services personnel to strengthen wellbeing through purpose-driven service. The organisation is fostering stronger, more connected, and disaster-ready communities.
Jodi Lee Bowel Cancer Foundation of Adelaide is committed to saving lives and strengthening community health. Founded in memory of Jodi Lee, who died from bowel cancer at 41, the Foundation drives national awareness, encourages screening, and empowers Australians to take proactive steps to protect their health. Reaching millions each year, they inspire conversations, behaviour change, and early detection. Their next major initiative is a TikTok-based campaign targeting young those aged 15–45, the age group where bowel cancer is the leading cancer killer. Featuring youth ambassadors and community-based “Street Talk” content, the campaign will educate on symptoms, promote early action, and distribute screening kits to high-risk individuals.
Meals on Wheels SA of Hilton is dedicated to fostering meaningful cross-generational connections. Meals on Wheels SA, or MoWSA, has supported community wellbeing since 1954, delivering nutritious meals, wellness checks, and social connection through more than 6,000 volunteers and 80 branches. MoWSA also provides companionship and support for people of all ages, strengthening independence and reducing isolation. Their expanded intergenerational engagement initiative partners with high schools to address growing loneliness among both young people and older Australians. Their activities include storytelling, card-making, and care-package creation, all aimed at developing empathy, civic responsibility, and a deeper understanding of service. The program also encourages youth volunteering and supports teachers.
The Sammy D Foundation helps young people build safer, kinder communities and works to end youth violence through evidence-based education and mentoring. Established in 2008 following the tragic one-punch death of 17-year-old Sam Davis, the organisation delivers programs in schools, sporting clubs and community settings that equip young people with practical skills to manage conflict, make positive decisions and support their peers. To date, more than 300,000 young people have participated in its programs, showing measurable improvements in empathy, confidence and attitudes toward violence.
The Village Co. of Welland is providing more equitable support and showing families they are not alone. The Village Co. is a charity that supports vulnerable new mothers through curated care bags and practical, compassionate assistance. Each month, the organisation provides over one hundred families with essential items and emotional encouragement during the perinatal period. Their key initiative, A Nourished Week, provides a week’s worth of free, nourishing meals to families in the critical first days after bringing a newborn home. Targeting mothers facing homelessness, domestic violence, financial hardship, mental health challenges, refugee settlement, and isolation, their program reduces stress, improves food security, and strengthens wellbeing.
Carers SA Carer Achievement Award
Antoinette Edginton of Athelstone is strengthening outcomes for carers and people with disability. Antoinette has dedicated over four decades to caring for her son Nathanael, who lives with intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder. She also previously took care of her husband during his battle with early onset dementia. As a full-time carer, she navigated complex medical, behavioural, and safety needs while supporting Nathanael to thrive through employment and community involvement. Antoinette has been a tireless advocate and her insights has helped shape disability reforms and the early development of the NDIS. She has supported countless carers through mentoring and championing systemic change.
Judy Burke OAM of Unley shaping statewide reform. Judy has been caring for her daughter living with severe borderline personality disorder, or BPD, for four decades. She provides continuous emotional support, crisis management, medical coordination, and stability through the most complex stages of illness. Recognising the lack of understanding and services for BPD, Judy co-founded the Sanctuary BPD Carer Support Group in 2012, and it now has over 700 members. She has facilitated monthly groups, provided peer mentoring, educated workers, and built a vital community for families. Judy’s engagement with government, health agencies, and media was instrumental in establishing South Australia’s BPD Centre for Excellence.
Kirsty-Maree Whitehead of McCracken is a national advocate for accessible healthcare. For more than 20 years, Kirsty-Maree has been the primary carer for her four children, each living with complex conditions including Neurofibromatosis, Autism, ADHD, intellectual disability, brain tumours, and significant emotional and medical needs. She has also cared for her late father through cancer. She navigates up to 15 weekly appointments, surgeries, crises, and lifelong disability care. She also leads Neurofibromatosis and carer networks, chairs the Children’s Tumour Advisory Panel, and contributes to major hospital advisory groups. Her lived experience has shaped state and federal policy and supported the first Neurofibromatosis federal funding.
Stacey Woods of Huntfield Heights is committed to making a lasting impact to the broader carer community. Stacey has been the full-time carer for her four neurodiverse children for more than a decade. She overcame her own acquired brain injury and vision impairment. Stacey has volunteered across major community initiatives, contributing essential insight to SACOSS projects, the Person-Centred Emergency Preparedness program, and the Circle of Life palliative care events, representing outcomes at a statewide forum. Through her compassion, practical support, and ability to empower others, Stacey has helped carers access services and navigate complex systems. Her leadership was recognised with the 2023 DEAI Volunteer Award.
Vern Marshall of Stirling is a committed dementia advocate. Vern cared for his wife for a decade before channelling his lived experience into community leadership. He founded and convenes the Adelaide Hills Dementia Carers Support Group, providing weekly peer support, practical guidance, and connection for carers. As a Dementia Australia Advocate since 2021, Vern contributes to national campaigns and public speaking engagements to raise awareness of the realities of dementia care and championing improved support services. His work includes media interviews, opinion pieces, community education, and policy discussions. Vern’s ongoing dedication ensures carers feel seen, supported, and empowered, while strengthening dementia care resources across South Australia.
Carers SA Young Carer Award
Charli Daniele of Two Wells is dedicated to educating her peers about autism and promoting kindness. Just 14 years old, Charli has been a Young Carer for eight years, providing essential support for her brothers Ryker and Christopher, both diagnosed with autism and one with bilateral hearing impairment. Her role includes emotional regulation, routine management, attending therapy appointments, and implementing strategies like the Zones of Regulation at home. Despite the demands of school and family responsibilities, Charli maintains strong academic engagement and has developed exceptional independence, empathy, and resilience. She actively advocates for young carers, speaking at Carers SA events, and even at the Governor’s House.
Elaaf Gill of Campbelltown is championing meaningful support for young carers. Elaaf became a Young Carer at 13, stepping up after their father’s passing to support their mother’s complex mental ill-health and their sister’s physical and intellectual disability. They have managed essential household administration, coordinated NDIS and health services, advocated for increased supports, and played a central role in their mother’s recovery and their sister’s transition to expanded supported employment. Despite isolation and significant emotional strain, Elaaf now contributes to systemic change through their involvement with the Headspace Youth Reference Group, DHS Youth Advisory Council, Adelaide PHN’s Community Advisory Council, and Young Carers SA Action Crew.
Ina Maslin of Cape Jervis is committed to making a meaningful difference through her kindness, reliability, and sense of responsibility. Ina is a young carer who supports her two older siblings living with multiple disabilities, including Joubert Syndrome, epilepsy, autism and developmental delay, while also caring for her mother recovering from injury and managing PTSD. Ina provides daily personal care, seizure management assistance, medication preparation, household duties, and emotional support, often stepping in during emergencies with maturity. She also thrives at school, earning respect from staff and peers, gaining part-time employment, and contributing to community activities such as Carers SA programs and the Carer Expo.
Mary-Rose Vanderheul of Mount Gambier has offered leadership, resilience and commitment. Mary-Rose has spent eight years caring for her mother with chronic health issues and her four siblings with disabilities. She manages daily routines, medical needs, emotional support and household responsibilities. Alongside her caring role, Mary-Rose founded a community charity that provides flexible employment for carers, people with disabilities and those facing barriers to work. A passionate advocate, she is active in the Young Carers Collective, raises awareness through community outreach, and works with organisations to improve recognition and support for young carers. Mary-Rose has also developed supported accommodation for young carers transitioning to independent living.
Tiger Lewis of Aberfoyle Park is a committed young carer who has supported many family members. He provides ongoing assistance to his twin brother with autism, previously cared for his late Grandfather with declining health, and now supports his grandmother with household management, paperwork and major home repairs. While facing challenges balancing school, work and caring responsibilities, Tiger maintains strong engagement in his community. He works up to 25 hours a week and serves on the City of Onkaparinga Youth Advisory Committee, while also participating in Young Carers SA. On top of this, he is a talented sportsman. Tiger competes in clay target sports at a State level.
Channel 7 Children's Research Foundation Enriching Children's Lives Award
Hopestreet SA of Playford is transforming the lives of at risk children and young people in a disadvantaged region. Beginning as a small volunteer run youth drop in, it now delivers a network of programs, including an after hours youth drop in, kids club, skatepark outreach, mentoring, and the families of hope parent program. Supporting hundreds of children and families each year, Hopestreet offers an innovative, place based approach that meets young people where they are and builds strong, consistent relationships that support re-engagement with school, improved wellbeing, and new opportunities. Their social enterprise work experience program provides practical skills and pathways to employment. Hopestreet is creating safe spaces, empowering families, and nurturing positive role models.
KickStart for Kids of Novar Gardens is committed to addressing barriers to children’s learning, health, and wellbeing. Supported by over 1,000 volunteers, their flagship School Breakfast and Lunch Program provides over 60,000 breakfasts and 10,000 lunches weekly across over 360 schools, ensuring children start the day nourished and ready to learn. Their Camp KickStart offers safe, inclusive school holiday experiences, while their Thrive program mentors at-risk high school students, providing support, equipment, and guidance to re-engage with education. Their Period Poverty Program supplies essential sanitary products, helping girls attend school with confidence. Through these innovative, community-driven initiatives, they foster belonging, resilience, and opportunity, so children can thrive.
Lolly Jar Circus is helping improve wellbeing, friendships, school engagement. A fully inclusive circus school, Lolly Jar Circus welcomes children and young people of all abilities to experience circus arts, from juggling and acrobatics to trapeze. For 12 years, the program fosters confidence, coordination, fitness, social skills, and a sense of belonging. Many participants, including those with disabilities, social challenges, or at-risk backgrounds, find circus sessions to be their safest and most joyful space. Staff are trained in disability, trauma, and restorative practices, while equipment, activities, and teaching approaches are adapted for all learners. Outreach programs benefit to schools, community events, and regional areas.
Puddle Jumpers Inc of Glandore is committed to amplifying children’s voices. Puddle Jumpers is a charity transforming the lives of children facing disadvantage, trauma, or out-of-home care through camps, activity days, food relief hubs, mentoring, and storytelling initiatives. Since 2012, the volunteer-driven organisation has directly supported over 1,000 children annually, providing safe spaces, nourishment, and opportunities for connection, skill-building, and confidence. Its innovative “village model” mobilises over 750 volunteers and community partners to act as mentors, role models, and advocates, creating consistent, caring relationships that foster resilience and belonging. Puddle Jumpers produces short films, shares festive joy at annual Christmas parties, and develops intergenerational support networks.
Relationships Australia SA (RASA) is a leading not-for-profit organisation supporting the wellbeing of individuals, families, and communities across South Australia. RASA's Together4Kids program is a specialist children’s service, that supports children aged 0–12 years experiencing homelessness or family and domestic violence. Through one-to-one counselling, group work, and family therapy, children learn emotional literacy, self-expression, and regulation strategies that help them cope with fear, grief, anger, or confusion. Together4Kids develops and delivers training and workforce development for the sector, plus resources for parents and children. The Together4Kids Book Club project brought together children and parents of toddlers and babies to write and illustrate a children’s story, drawing on their experiences of homelessness and domestic violence
Flinders NVI Business for Good Award
Be Safe As is empowering individuals with science-backed safety tools. Founded in 2023, Be Safe As is a female-led startup dedicated to preventing drink-spiking assaults. Its flagship product, the Tutella sticker, instantly detects gamma-hydroxybutyrate, or GHB, in drinks, allowing users to check beverages before consumption. Be Safe As drives cultural change through education campaigns, community outreach, and partnerships with universities, venues, and safety groups, promoting awareness, shared responsibility, and proactive safety. Hundreds of stickers have already boosted confidence among recipients, while advocacy efforts spark crucial conversations about consent and harm prevention. All initiatives are self-funded, community-focused, and aim to create safer social spaces.
Dr Mac Mobile Vet was created to break the barriers that prevent families and pets from accessing veterinary care. Founded in 2022, the service brings the clinic to homes, NDIS residences, retirement villages, and vulnerable households, delivering preventive care, chronic-disease management, urgent help, and dignified in-home euthanasia. As Fear Free certified and CAETA certified in best-practice euthanasia, Dr Mac Mobile Vet educates owners and supports families through grief with genuine compassion. Over 3,000 pets have received care, including many that went years without seeing a vet. Their purpose is to continue acting as a lasting force for good, advancing humane and accessible care for families.
KYD-X is redefining what inclusion looks like in South Australia. Born from the groundbreaking Kids & Youth Disability Expo in 2017, KYD-X creates real-world solutions that empower people with a disability to enjoy everyday experiences, every day. From Sounds & Vibes, SA’s first fully accessible music festival, to Frame Running SA and the game-changing Off the Floor accessible toilets, KYD-X ensures everyone can participate in SA events and stay the whole damn day. Through advocacy, collaboration and bold community innovation, KYD-X drives lasting cultural change, increases disability awareness and builds a future where access and inclusion aren’t optional—they’re standard.
Lashes of Change is an Australian innovation redefining beauty through sustainability, ethics, with a deeply personal purpose. Founded in 2022 by breast cancer survivor Tania who created Australia’s first refillable, fully customisable mascara system—designed to reduce waste, empower individuality, and challenge the one-size-fits-all model that sends over a billion mascaras to landfill each year. Entirely self-funded and built on circular design principles, Lashes of Change has already diverted more than 6,000 mascaras from landfill while offering vegan, toxin-free formulas. With over $10,000 raised for breast-cancer research, this brand blends innovation, resilience, and social responsibility to create beauty with real impact.
Why Day Creations is a regional family business, proudly based in Whyalla. They blend creativity, education, and social impact through the technology of 3D-Printing. Founded in 2023, Why Day provides meaningful paid work for people with disabilities, while school workshops and holiday programs inspire young people in STEM and design. Their major community initiatives include painting workshops, fundraising collaborations, and locally made products for business and tourism. They demonstrate innovation by showcasing 3D-Printing at events including adaptive equipment at International Day of People With Disability and a 2-metre replica lighthouse at the Whyalla Suicide Prevention Network. Why Day Creations is a 2025 Australian Disability Services Award Winner for Place-Based Impact.
Konica Minolta Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Community Achievement Award
Amanda Westley of Encounter Bay is helping create opportunities for Aboriginal youth. Amanda is a proud Ngarrindjeri artist whose celebrated work, including paintings and weaving, reflects deep connection to country, culture, and community. Dedicated to giving back, she creates a school-based Nunga fund for uniforms and swimming lessons and donates dresses for students. She supports remote communities such as Aputula through essential items and shared meals. Amanda has raised scholarship funds through long-term support of the GO Foundation, regularly teaches language and culture in schools, and mentors youth as an educator at Ngutu College. Her work preserves Ngarrindjeri storytelling and identity while inspiring the next generation.
Anangu Ngangkari Tjutaku Aboriginal Corporation of Findon is creating meaningful pathways for healers and improving health outcomes statewide. ANTAC is Australia’s first organisation of Aboriginal traditional healers, formed in 2012 to preserve and deliver 60,000-year-old healing knowledge. ANTAC’s accredited Ngangkari travel to hospitals, clinics, prisons, and communities, providing spiritual cleansing, hands-on treatments, and bush medicine within culturally safe practices. The organisation has pioneered a nationally recognised two-way healthcare model that integrates traditional Aboriginal healing alongside Western medicine. Through this work, ANTAC strengthens cultural identity, supports intergenerational knowledge transfer, and enhances wellbeing for Aboriginal people. Its approach promotes inclusion, cultural respect, and greater recognition of Aboriginal traditional medicine.
Deadly Designs Media of Adelaide empowers through authentic visual storytelling. Deadly Designs was founded in 2015 by Adam Jenkins, a proud Ngarrindjeri/Kaurna filmmaker and designer, to celebrate and elevate First Nations stories. Adam has produced films, photography, and design content grounded in cultural identity, including his award-winning short film The Getaway, winner of Best First Nations Film at the South Australian Screen Awards. His work documents key cultural events such as NAIDOC Week, Reconciliation Week, Apology Day, and Survival Day, providing communities with high-quality storytelling that preserves culture and strengthens connection. Adam also supports emerging Indigenous creatives through mentoring and building pathways in the media industry.
Umeewarra Aboriginal Media Association Inc. of Port Augusta is dedicated to strengthening culture, youth leadership, and community wellbeing. The long-standing Aboriginal community media organisation serves Port Augusta and Far North South Australia. Through Umeewarra Radio 89.1 FM and digital media platforms, they provide youth-led media training, language broadcasting, workshops, cultural tours, and the state’s largest NAIDOC celebrations. Their initiatives support health education, civic engagement, and culturally grounded storytelling, leading to measurable outcomes such as improved vaccination uptake and increased youth participation. Evaluation shows more than four dollars in social value returns for every dollar invested. Umeewarra is guided by an Aboriginal Board and continues to preserve cultural knowledge.
Wonky Lines Counselling is about healing through story, connection and culture. Founded by proud Gamilaraay and Bigambul woman Tamara Young, Wonky Lines provides culturally grounded Narrative Therapy and Social and Emotional Wellbeing informed support for individuals, families, workers and communities nationwide. Tamara works alongside people to unpack stories shaped by colonisation, systems and intergenerational trauma; strengthening identity, culture and connection. Her work includes one-on-one counselling, identity-building programs for children and young people, cultural supervision and creative wellbeing workshops. Wonky Lines also supports families navigating child protection systems and reinvests as a profit-for-purpose practice into community resources, culturally safe programs and healing initiatives through counselling, training and truth-telling work with all people of all cultures.
Refined Real Estate Leadership Award
Christine Robertson OAM of Brompton is a community leader whose innovation and compassion have reshaped animal welfare and strengthened South Australia’s local food network. Christine co-founded Lost Pets of SA, building a statewide volunteer network that reunites thousands of families with lost animals. Her Chipblitz program revolutionised microchipping by reducing costs to $10, enabling more than 100,000 pets to be safely identified. Christine is also the CEO of the Adelaide Showground Farmers’ Market. She guided the market through major growth and pandemic, supporting over 120 small producers and thousands of shoppers weekly. She has been recognised as SA Citizen of the Year and SA Local Hero.
Dr Mac Mena of Tranmere is a transformative leader in South Australian veterinary care, redefining what compassionate and accessible service looks like. As the Founder and Principal Veterinarian of Dr Mac Mobile Vet, he pioneered South Australia’s first Fear Free and CAETA-certified in-home euthanasia within a mobile care model, setting a new benchmark for dignity and humane practice. His leadership removes the practical and emotional barriers that keep families and pets from receiving care. He educates thousands of owners, and with over 3,000 pets supported and 200 five-star reviews, he leads with empathy and excellence. Dr Mac is a migrant who rebuilt his career from scratch.
Mona Umapathy of Highbury is an Academic Director whose values-driven leadership has reshaped higher education. Mona has led major academic quality reforms, strengthened alignment with university partners, and improved student progression and retention. As a Principal Fellow, Mona champions staff development through mentoring, cross-functional collaboration, and support for Advance HE and HERDSA programs, enabling many educators to gain national recognition. Her initiatives include co-designing curriculum processes, inclusive teaching practices, and wellbeing-focused professional development. As a woman of colour and former international student, Mona models resilience and equity. She inspires emerging leaders and ensures all students and staff have access to opportunities for growth and success.
Sanja Hendrick of Adelaide is a transformational leader in communication, professional development, and social impact. As Founder and Director of Talent Academy, she built South Australia’s only team of specialist communication facilitators, delivering programs that elevate confidence, leadership, and high-performance communication across corporate, education, and government sectors. A TEDx speaker, mentor, and award-winning entrepreneur, she has coached hundreds of founders and professionals to secure funding and amplify their message. Beyond business, Sanja leads humanitarian initiatives through Roma World United, rebuilding homes, supporting vulnerable families, and creating education pathways in Europe. She is known for championing collaboration, elevating emerging talent, and helping people find their voice.
Tim Jarvis of Hyde Park is an environmental scientist, explorer, and climate advocate whose leadership has led to transformative environmental outcomes. Tim founded The Forktree Project, restoring degraded farmland into thriving native habitat, planting over 32,000 trees, and educating thousands of young people in sustainability. Internationally, Tim led campaigns securing 750,000 km² of marine sanctuaries around Australia’s sub-Antarctic islands and helped shape South Australia’s groundbreaking 2025 Biodiversity Act. His award-winning expeditions, documentaries, and books, spanning Antarctic re-enactments to climate-focused films such as Thin Ice VR, have elevated public understanding of climate change and biodiversity loss. He was named the 2024 South Australian of the Year.
SkyCity Adelaide Local Legend Award
Dean Rowe of Aldinga Beach is committed to impactful, compassionate service. Dean is a 92-year-old founder and ambassador of Judith’s Legacy, a charitable initiative established in honour of his late wife. Since 2017, he has dedicated more than 25 volunteer hours each week to raising awareness of ovarian cancer and funding vital research. Through events such as Judith’s Walk, Judith’s Breakfast, annual auctions, raffles, and Bunnings BBQs, Dean has raised over $170,000, contributing directly to cancer research, including an $87,000 grant supporting promising CAR-T cell therapy studies. His awareness cards have reached over 1,000 people, prompting many to seek early medical advice and inspiring others.
Lidia Faranda-Hall of North Haven works tirelessly to support families affected by service-related trauma. As the founder of Resolute Ready, she delivers trauma-informed digital education resources for military personnel, veterans, first responders, and their families. Through the Virtual Hub and the DVA-funded Digital Education Backpack, she provides connection, learning support, and community engagement. Lidia has secured key partnerships, advocated to families, government, and service providers, and contributed to policy and legislation change. Her work has achieved national recognition and engagement across 30 countries. She believes everyone deserves a well-lived life, and her leadership continues to unite service-connected communities worldwide.
Natalie Bunworth of Flagstaff Hill provides a voice for Neuroblastoma. Natalie is an advocate for children with this aggressive childhood cancer, driven by the loss and suffering of 2 many 2 young. For over a decade she has invested significant time and kilometres in fundraising, and community support, raising over $200,000 for critical research. Natalie runs marathons in a tutu and cape bearing the names of children with Neuroblastoma, each kilometre in a child’s honour. She created the Tribute Wall for Neuroblastoma Australia and supports bereaved families through online communities. Her efforts spotlight the need for kinder, more effective treatments.
Sharon Tremaine of Morgan leads with positivity, reliability and community spirit. For more than 20 years, Sharon has been a dedicated volunteer, contributing over 30 hours each week to strengthen community services, sporting clubs, and senior support. As Secretary of the Robertstown War Memorial Community Centre, she manages administration, finances, and day-to-day operations, helping provide essential services such as the Post Office, café and Foodbank access. Sharon is also a committed netball umpire and mentor, long-term committee member across multiple local sporting clubs, volunteer driver for seniors, and an active contributor to various community committees. She has earned local Australia Day and Active Citizenship Awards.
Trish Fuss of Ferryden Park is a breast cancer survivor, advocate, and community champion whose decade-long commitment has transformed cancer research and support in South Australia. She has raised close to $100,000 through The Longest Table, funding projects and enabling the purchase of a BD Accuri Flow Cytometer for the Centre for Cancer Biology. As a Consumer Advocate, she helps shape research, strengthens communication, and contributes to successful national and international grant applications. Trish has also established student scholarships, contributed over 12,000 volunteer hours, aided rural families, and served in local sporting clubs. She continues to empower survivors, advance scientific discovery, and strengthen community awareness.