Recipients 2025
- Name
- Christopher Malley
- Category
- South Australia's Citizen of the Year 2025
- Council
- Naracoorte Lucindale Council
Chris Mailley is a Police Officer working in the Family Violence Intervention Section in the Upper South East. In this role, Chris recognized a need for urgent support for victims of domestic violence. Led by Chris, and assisted by community members, the Upper South East Domestic Abuse Program was created.
Money received by donations and fund-raising events allow the Programme to provide immediate funding to support victims of domestic violence in emergency situations. Registered DV support services can apply for funds directly from the Programme to assist their clients needs. The Programme has funded a huge range of support, included emergency accommodation, interstate flights to keep people safe, bus fares so victims can attend medical appointments, mechanisms to prevent victims being tracked and removalists to relocate victims and their families to a safe place. Businesses, service clubs, sporting clubs and individuals have all shown strong community support for the program.
With AC Care, SAPOL and Naracoorte High School, the Programme is focusing on prevention measures by introducing a respectful relationship program into the school to change the mindset of youth, to think differently about violence, relationships and antisocial behaviour. Chris’ other initiatives within the community have led to the construction of a BMX track and drug awareness community forums for young adults. Chris’ mission is to inspire and provide kindness and humanity during times of vulnerability.
- Name
- Mayor Neil Martinson
- Category
- South Australia's Award for Active Citizenship 2025
- Council
- Renmark Paringa Council
Neil retired 2 years ago after an impressive 38 years in local government, Mayor Neil Martinson has left an indelible mark on the Renmark Paringa community. From his leadership in local sports leagues to serving as a Justice of the Peace and organising the Renmark Christmas Pageant, Neil has steadfastly advocated for community wellbeing, always approaching challenges with fairness and compassion.
- Name
- Giuseppe Geracitano
- Category
- South Australia's Award for Active Citizenship Commendation 2025
- Council
- City of Charles Sturt
Giuseppe Geracitano has significantly contributed to the Italian and multicultural communities in South Australia. His efforts have included promoting Italian language and cultural education, being instrumental in the Italian Education Movement, and co-founding the South Australian Teachers of Italian (SAATI). He served as a postgraduate representative on University of Adelaide committees and organized academic events including a national conference, enhancing academic and cultural life on campus.
Giuseppe also revitalized the Italian Festival in 1980, leading to the establishment of the Italian Carnevale Festival, which celebrates Italian heritage and promotes multiculturalism. As President of the Coordinating Italian Committee (CIC), he developed welfare programs, raised funds for earthquake relief, and established Italian community resources like a lending library and newspaper. His founding of the Italian History Society of South Australia preserved Italian immigrant histories through oral testimonies, documents and photos.
As a Foundation Life Member of the Dante Alighieri Society, Giuseppe’s contributions have left a lasting impact on community cohesion and cultural preservation.
- Name
- Layla Bovell
- Category
- South Australia's Young Citizen of the Year 2025
- Council
- City of Onkaparinga
Layla Bovell has been a dedicated member of the South Australian Youth Forum (SAYF) since 2023, contributing significantly to initiatives that have positively impacted her peers, her community and youth advocacy efforts at state and global levels. She co-authored the 2023 SAYF Annual Report and is actively involved in preparing the 2024 report, ensuring that the voices and needs of young South Australians are represented at all levels of decision making.
Each year this report is presented to the State Parliament and integrated into statewide youth action plans, guaranteeing young people’s perspectives and priorities shape policy directions in South Australia. Layla’s contributions were part of the SAYF statement taken to the United Nations Summit of the Future in New York, calling for greater youth representation in global decision making, support for mental health, and actions on climate change.
As a leader in SAYF’s period justice framework, Layla has also taken direct action to address period poverty and inequity, having co-authored a Period Pride video aimed at breaking down the stigma surrounding menstruation for young people.
Layla has made a lasting, positive impact on her community and is a role model for active, compassionate citizenship.
- Name
- Pink and Blue Swim/Walk/Run
- Category
- South Australia's Community Event of the Year 2025
- Council
- City of Charles Sturt
The Pink Swim, which began in 2013, has grown from its initial focus on breast cancer support to include supporting both breast and prostate cancer research and care. Run entirely by volunteers at the West Beach Surf Lifesaving Club, the event has expanded to feature a walk and run, making it accessible to all.
The 2024 Pink and Blue Swim/Run/Walk was a community focused event with over 1300 participants of all ages and fitness levels, engaging in a series of activities including a swim, run and walk along the coastline for various distances to accommodate different levels of ability.
In addition to the athletic events, the day featured community-building activities, such as live entertainment, local food stalls and informative sessions on cancer prevention and wellness. The event not only promoted a healthy, active lifestyle but also fostered a strong sense of unity among participants and spectators.
$130,750 was raised, with the total raised since 2013 being more than $630,000 The funds were evenly distributed between the Prostate Cancer Foundation of SA and St Andrews Hospital Breast Care Unit but in the past have also gone to other breast and prostate cancer beneficiaries
- Name
- 2024 Blackwood Reconciliation Walk
- Category
- South Australia's Community Event of the Year 2025
- Council
- City of Mitcham
Hosted by the Blackwood Reconciliation Group, the walk is an annual event during National Reconciliation Week. In 2024 it was held on May 26, Sorry Day and was supported by grants from the City of Mitcham and the Healing Foundation. This year was the 100th anniversary of the first removal of children in Oodnadatta and the beginning of the Colebrook Training Home, located on Kaurna land owned by the Aboriginal Lands Trust in what is now the Colebrook Reconciliation Park.
This year the National Reconciliation Week theme was “Now More Than Ever”, with the walk providing an opportunity for the local Reconciliation community to come together to reflect on the journey following the unsuccessful referendum. They heard from former residents of the home, and also about specific current actions required to progress reconciliation.
There was significant community involvement in the planning of the event and on the day itself, with support from the Blackwood Lions Club and Blackwood RSL, Sturt Football Club, SAPOL, St Peters Girls’ School, Scouts SA and Coromandel Primary School. This event provides a safe time and place for Aboriginal people to feel genuinely valued as people.
- Name
- Barmera Theatre Gallery - Yarn Bombers
- Category
- South Australia's Community Event of the Year Commendation 2025
- Council
- Berri Barmera Council
The brain child of Barmera Theatre Gallery Group member, Shirley Lord, the Barmera Main Street Yarn bombing project brought colour, life, fun, whimsy and wonder to the Riverland community during its month as an official SALA event on display during the whole of August 2024.
The Barmera Theatre Gallery Group spent a year meticulously planning the event, recruiting, coordinating, liaising with, guiding and encouraging a small army of volunteers, old and young from across the Riverland. Over many months they produced knitted, crocheted and sewn squares, flags, banners, toys, pompoms, flowers and other yarn art decorations. The group drew up plans, measuring the fixtures to which the yarn art would be attached via specially made plastic frames. They also ran workshops on a range of crafts.
All items to be decorated were allocated to volunteers and, over a 10 day period in July, the yarn bombing was implemented. The whole main street came alive with a riot of colour as bins, trees, bollards, bike racks, 28 street trees, street bins, empty shop windows, rose bed surrounds, a telephone booth, seats and the town pergola were transformed with yarn art.
This project is a wonderful example of how a small community can come together to achieve big things.
