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2027 AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR AWARDS NOMINEES FOR SOUTH AUSTRALIA ANNOUNCED
2027 AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR AWARDS: SOUTH AUSTRALIA NOMINEES ANNOUNCED
People making an impact across volunteering, health, community contribution, technology, advocacy and environment are among the South Australia nominees announced today for the 2027 Australian of the Year Awards.
Sixteen people from across the state have been named as nominees for the 2027 Australian of the Year Awards for South Australia, with nominees recognised in each of the Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year and Australia’s Local Hero categories.
Among this year’s nominees are a citizen scientist recording the impact of the toxic algal bloom and bird flu, an educator putting Aboriginal knowledge at the centre of learning, a father changing attitudes to violence, a filmmaker sharing culture and history, and an orthopaedic surgeon who hiked from Mexico to Canada to raise funds for disadvantaged children.
The nominees are:
2027 Australian of the Year for South Australia
Dr Fariba Behnia-Willison - Endo-gynaecologist and reconstructive surgeon (Somerton Park)
Dr Muhammad Akbar Hussain - Space technology innovator and entrepreneur (Craigmore)
Dr Matthew Hutchinson - Orthopaedic surgeon and education fundraiser (St Peters)
Dr Susan Neuhaus AM CSC - Surgeon and author (Unley)
2027 Senior Australian of the Year for South Australia
Dr Susan Belperio - Citizen scientist (Toorak Gardens)
Keith Clark - Lifeline and fire service volunteer (Aldgate)
Dr Roger Hunt - Palliative medicine specialist (North Adelaide)
Dr Anne Jensen - Wetland ecologist (Adelaide)
2027 Young Australian of the Year for South Australia
Ishaan Chaudhuri - Health leader (St Peters)
Abbey Hardie - Sexual violence prevention advocate (Tea Tree Gully)
Jemima Leydon - Cancer ambassador (Rose Park)
Edward Robinson - Space educator and entrepreneur (Blair Athol)
2027 Australia’s Local Hero for South Australia
Jordan Box - Community engagement champion (Athelstone)
Neil Davis - Violence prevention advocate (Woodcroft)
Fahim Hashimy - Media changemaker (Plympton Park)
Andrew Plastow - Education leader (Glenelg North)
The South Australia nominees are among 130 people being recognised across all states and territories in the 2027 Australian of the Year Awards.
National Australia Day Council CEO Carrie Leeson said the nominees for South Australia’s achievements, dedication and contributions were inspiring.
“These nominees embody the values we admire and aspire to uphold – resilience, commitment, courage, kindness, and a genuine spirit of service to others,” said Ms Leeson.
The 2027 South Australia award recipients will be announced Thursday 5 November in Adelaide. The ceremony will also be available to watch via livestream at australianoftheyear.org.au
The South Australia award recipients will then join recipients from the other states and territories as finalists for the national Australian of the Year Awards, announced in Canberra on 25 January 2027.
ENDS
Detailed nominee biographies follow and are also available at australianoftheyear.org.au.
Photos for download: Photos provided by the nominees for editorial use can be downloaded from here: SA Nominee Photos - supplied by nominees (please use photo credits where noted on file names)
Media contact: Nicole Browne, media opps 0414 673 762 nicole@mediaopps.com.au