13 November 2010

The 2010 South Australian of the Year is culinary icon Maggie Beer.

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 2010 South Australian of the Year category winners)

Maggie Beer’s passion for food and cooking has inspired and bought joy to South Australians of all ages.

Her marriage to Colin in 1970 led them to the Barossa Valley in 1973, where they began pheasant breeding and grape growing. The establishment of the Pheasant Farm was the start of an incredible career that has spanned farming, food production, exporting, food writing and television presenting.

Maggie Beer, who was honoured in front of 550 proud South Australians at the 2010 Advantage SA Annual Dinner last night at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, said she was “thrilled beyond measure” to receive the Award.

“ Wow, I sometimes have to pinch myself about my life. The luck of coming to live in the Barossa some 37 years ago, that opened the door to what has become my passion, or is it obsession in life. It has put me on such an exciting path, a path which has led me to places that I never could have dreamt of,” Maggie said.   

“I feel so connected to the Barossa, and I’m such a proud South Australian and I love to shout it from the rooftops!”  

Maggie Beer’s life in the food industry has seen her win many awards. As part of the 2010 Australia Day Awards, Maggie was honoured as the Senior Australian of the Year, in recognition of her focus on cooking with seasonal produce, that has in turn, helped to educate so many Australians to make informed food choices.

An author of seven successful books, and co-presenter of The Cook and The Chef, as the 2010 South Australian of the Year, Maggie will be amongst esteemed company with previous winners of the Award including Rolf de Heer, Professor John Ralston, Mike Turtur and Dr Bill Griggs AM ASM.

Advantage SA Board Chair Frank Filosi said that Maggie Beer was a very worthy winner of the 2010 South Australian of the Year Award.

“Maggie has put South Australia on the map, nationally and internationally. She is an amazing culinary talent and her energy and enthusiasm towards promoting our State and its produce is truly inspiring,” Mr Filosi said. 

"I would sincerely like to congratulate Maggie Beer on this very well-deserved accolade, the 2010 South Australian of the Year Award."

The 2010 Young South Australian of the Year is Jack Buckskin. Jack is a Kaurna man and the only young Aboriginal person teaching the endangered Kaurna Language. Jack started officially learning the Kaurna language in 2006 and began teaching it in schools in 2008.

He teaches more than 100 indigenous and non-indigenous students, aged from 5 to 62, at the Adelaide School of Languages, Croydon, Kaurna Plains School, Le Fevre High and Salisbury High. He also teaches youth in juvenile detention.

Jack speaks at numerous schools, health and government conferences and workshops. He also gives dance lessons at the Kaurna Plains School and has organised a family dance group, the Kuma Karro, which translates to One Blood.

Advantage SA Board Chair Frank Filosi congratulated Jack on winning the 2010 Young South Australian of the Year Award.

“Jack’s commitment to his culture and continuous drive to ensure the preservation of the Kaurna language deserves recognition. He is an inspirational young man, and his achievements certainly typify what these awards are all about.” 

“I congratulate Maggie, Jack and all of the 2010 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.

2010 South Australian of the Year category winners were presented their Awards by The Right Honourable Lord Mayor of Adelaide at a special civic reception held at the Adelaide Town Hall on Thursday 11 November 2010.

South Australian of the Year Award sponsored by the Government of South Australia – Maggie Beer
Young South Australian of the Year Award sponsored by BHP Biliton – Jack Buckskin
Arts Award sponsored by Grant Burge - Khai Liew
Business Award sponsored by Telstra - Rodney Detmold
Community Award sponsored by Alzheimers SA - Peter Marshman OAM
Education sponsored by Flinders University - Children and Families Everywhere (C.a.F.E.)  |  Enfield Children’s Centre for Early Childhood Development and Parenting
Environment sponsored by Hames Sharley - Ngarrindjeri Elders
Health sponsored by WorkCover - Dr Robert Padbury
Sport sponsored by Nippy’s - Adelaide Thunderbirds
Science - Professor Tanya Monro and Professor Angel Lopez
Tourism sponsored by South Australian Tourism Commission - Adelaide Zoo

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