04 November 2011

FRANK SEELEY AM NAMED 2011 SOUTH AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR

The 2011 South Australian of the Year is businessman and philanthropist Frank Seeley AM. 

Supported by the Government of South Australia, the Awards recognise and reward the achievements of those who have made outstanding contributions to our State.

(Please see below for a full list of 2011 South Australian of the Year category winners)

Frank Seeley AM is Founder and Chairman of Seeley International, Australia’s largest air conditioning manufacturer and a global leader in the development and commercialisation of energy efficient climate control appliances.

As well as being committed to keeping as much business in South Australia as possible, Frank is a generous contributor to the community. He and his wife Kathy open their home and share their meals with up to 50 disadvantaged children each week. Frank has also established a charitable fund which has raised a staggering $10 million to benefit underprivileged children.

Mr Seeley was thrilled to be named the 2011 South Australian of the Year.

“When I heard the news I was absolutely blown away!  My family moved to Adelaide when I was nine years old and I have been staunchly South Australian since.  I am tremendously honoured to receive this award. It is as good as it gets,” he said.

As the 2011 South Australian of the Year, Frank will be amongst esteemed company with previous winners of the Award including Rolf de Heer, Professor John Ralston, Mike Turtur, Dr Bill Griggs AM ASM and Maggie Beer.

Advantage SA CEO Karen Raffen said that Frank Seeley was a very worthy winner of the 2011 South Australian of the Year Award. 

“Frank Seeley has contributed immeasurably to the State through his business and charitable efforts. Advantage SA is thrilled to be able to recognise him as the 2011 South Australian of the Year,” Ms Raffen said.

The 2011 Young South Australian of the Year is Khadija Gbla, with Timothy Braund, a tireless volunteer dedicated to the youth of South Australia, receiving a commendation for the 2011 Young South Australian of the Year Award.

Born in Sierra Leone, Khadija’s family sought refuge in Australia in 2001 after enduring a thirteen-year civil war in their homeland. Khadija strives to combine her African and Australian heritage and values in order to advocate acceptance and equality within the community.

Khadija has travelled around the country, and the world, to advocate for equality. She attended the 20/20 Youth Summit in Canberra to increase the current and future participation of socially and economically marginalised refugee youth in the community, and the Harvard National Model United Nations, where she participated in international negotiations and debates with other delegates from around the world.

She regularly speaks at numerous schools, university, forums, and conferences advocating for refugees and multicultural young people in South Australia.

Khadija’s aim is to give women, young people and minority groups a voice, and to inspire others to accept the differences in our multicultural society.

Advantage SA CEO Karen Raffen congratulated Khadija Gbla on winning the 2011 Young South Australian of the Year Award.

“Khadija is an inspirational young woman, and very deserving of this year’s Young South Australian of the Year Award. Her work will continue to encourage our society to embrace multiculturalism, and equality for all,” Ms Raffen said.

“I congratulate Frank, Khadija and all of the 2011 South Australian of the Year Awards category winners on their success.”

Winners were also recognised across nine categories for outstanding contributions to the State in their chosen field.

2011 South Australian of the Year category winners were presented their Awards by The Right Honourable The Lord Mayor of Adelaide Stephen Yarwood at a special civic reception held at the Adelaide Town Hall on Thursday 3 November 2011.

The Government of South Australia’s South Australian of the Year Award – Frank Seeley AM
The BHP Billiton Young South Australian of the Year Award – Khadija Gbla
The Grant Burge Wines Arts Award – Professor John Maxwell Coetzee
The Telstra Business Award – T&R Pastoral
The Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited Community Award – Rosemary McKenzie-Ferguson
The Flinders University Education Award – Kent Douglas Spangenberg
The Hames Sharley Environment Award – Peter Owen
The WorkCover SA Health Award – Associate Professor John Greenwood AM
The Innovate SA Innovation Award – The Mitolo Group
The South Australian Jockey Club Sports Award – Anna Meares OAM
The Adelaide Casino Tourism Award – Ron Kandelaars and Keith Conlon OAM