11 November 2010

Ten of the State’s inspirational individuals, groups and organisations were awarded with 2010 South Australian of the Year category Awards at a special ceremony at the Adelaide Town Hall last night.

Winners were recognised in the categories of Arts, Business, Community, Education, Environment, Health, Tourism, Science and Sport and were presented with their awards by The Right Honourable Lord Mayor of Adelaide, Michael Harbison.

The South Australian of the Year and Young South Australian of the Year will be announced at the Advantage SA Annual Dinner this evening, Friday 12 November at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre.

Arts  |  Khai Liew
Khai Liew is widely regarded as one of Australia’s leading designers with an impressive international reputation. This year alone his work has been on the front cover of two prestigious European design magazines as well as being listed as one of twenty good reasons to visit Australia in another style bible printed in London. Liew has been officially recognised as a Design Luminary for his contribution to Australian design. He has won several prestigious awards and his works are in numerous state and national collections.

Business  |  Rodney Detmold
Founded in 1948 in Adelaide, more than 50 years of continued growth and expansion has seen the Detmold Group still owned and managed by the Detmold family, with Rodney Detmold as Executive Chairman. As a leading manufacturer of paper and board products, the Detmold Group’s global network includes Australia, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, South Africa and Canada. Today the Detmold Group has over 1750 staff in offices and factories strategically located to meet the goals set for the future.

Community  |  Peter Marshman OAM
After achieving personal success, as a businessman and consultant, Peter Marshman founded Youth Opportunities for young people in need. The Youth Opportunities program provides youth who have lost their way with a chance, empowering them with the skills and values to take control of their own life.  As Chairman, voluntary CEO for three years and program developer Peter has overcome the odds and today the Youth Opportunities personal leadership program is entrenched in around 30 secondary schools and other institutions supporting youth around South Australia.

Education  |  Children and Families Everywhere (C.a.F.E.), Enfield Children’s Centre for Early Childhood Development and Parenting
Established in 2003 on the grounds of Enfield Primary School, C.a.F.E Enfield Children’s Centre for Early Childhood Development and Parenting is a family friendly centre designed to improve the health, social, emotional and educational outcomes for children and families. The warm, friendly and engaging environment that has been supported at C.a.F.E Enfield has created learning opportunities and increased community strengths and relationships. The success of C.a.F.E Enfield Children’s Centre for early childhood and parenting has been recognised nationally and internationally.

Environment  |  Ngarrindjeri Elders
The Ngarrindjeri Nation includes 18 tribes (Laklinyerar) who are the traditional owners and custodians of the Lower Murray, western Fleurieu Peninsula and the Coorong and Lower Lakes. The Ngarrindjeri Elders are working closely with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to put in place the emergency works and planning for the future of the Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth. Over the past year, Ngarrindjeri have been actively participating in the bioremediation and revegetation around the Lower Lakes. The Ngarrindjeri Elders are supporting and mentoring a number of young Ngarrindjeri to take active leadership roles in caring for country.

Health  |  Dr Robert Padbury
Hepatobiliary Surgeon Dr Padbury commenced surgical practice in Adelaide at Flinders Medical Centre and Ashford in 1992 and set up the South Australian Liver Transplant Unit. The unit has performed 209 transplants with results comparable with the best units in the world. Dr Padbury has provided a pivotal role in the area of medical leadership and promoting the role of improvement as a key driver for managing health care effectively. He is currently Director, Division of Surgical and Specialty Services at Flinders Medical Centre and Southern Area Clinical Director, Surgery within Adelaide Health Service.

Sport  |  Adelaide Thunderbirds
In front of a capacity home crowd of 9,300 in July 2010 at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, the Adelaide Thunderbirds defeated New Zealand team Waikato Magic, to win the 2010 Trans-Tasman ANZ Championship. Three years into the new Trans-Tasman competition, the Adelaide Thunderbirds have received nothing but finals placing - 3rd in 2008, 2nd in 2009 and first in 2010. Their qualification for the 2010 ANZ Grand Final saw the match sell out in less than 12 minutes, quicker than the ACDC concert.

Science  | Joint Winners  |  Professor Angel Lopez and Professor Tanya Monro

Professor Angel Lopez is a medically trained biomedical scientist who leads a group of 180 researchers working to find new ways to prevent and treat cancer at the Centre for Cancer Biology (CCB). Professor Lopez is the author of more than 160 international peer-reviewed research publications documenting significant discoveries in understanding how cytokines and cytokine receptors work in health and in diseases such as chronic inflammation, leukemia and asthma. Many of his insights have been highly cited and form the basis of several international patents. This path has underpinned the development of new therapeutic products, some of which are currently in clinical trials.

Professor Tanya Monro, Director of the Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing - is a leading internationally regarded physicist specialising in research into new optical fibres and how they can be applied in industries, such as defence, health, environmental monitoring and food and wine. She is an ARC Federation Fellow, Director of the Institute for Photonics & Advanced Sensing (IPAS) and the Director of the Centre of Expertise in Photonics within the School of Chemistry & Physics (CoEP) at the University of Adelaide.

Tourism  |  Adelaide Zoo 

Adelaide Zoo is home to more than 1,800 animals and almost 300 species of exotic and native mammals, birds, reptiles and fish exhibited in over 8 hectares of magnificent botanic surroundings. Adelaide Zoo is also now home to Wang Wang and Funi, two Giant Pandas on exchange from the People's Republic of China for ten years. The arrival of the Giant pandas are proving a significant drawcard for visitors to the Adelaide Zoo. Wang Wang and Funi were officially welcomed to Australia by Governor General, Quentin Bryce almost a year ago and have been settling well into their new habitat. The Giant Pandas have attracted around 70% more visitors to the zoo than everbefore, including over 25% of people from interstate.

The 2010 South Australian of the Year Awards are proudly supported by the Government of South Australia, major partners Bendigo and Adelaide Bank, The Advertiser and Sunday Mail, and category sponsors BHP Billiton, Telstra, Grant Burge, Nippy’s, Hames Sharley, South Australian Tourism Commission, Flinders University, WorkCover and Alzheimer’s Australia SA.

All winners of the 2010 South Australian of the Year Awards were selected from both public and peer nominations.

Each year Advantage SA, with the support of the Government of South Australia, recognises inspirational South Australians through the South Australian of the Year Awards. The Awards celebrate and profile individuals or organisations that have demonstrated a consistent record of excellence and made a positive impact on the State.

For media information, images and interviews, please contact Natalie Ciccocioppo
Communications Manager, Advantage SA on 8211 8111 or 0413 489 231
natalie.ciccocioppo@advantagesa.com.au