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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2025-10-14 Daily Xml
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SA Women of Impact Awards

The Hon. T.T. NGO (15:45): My question is to the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs. Can the minister tell the council about the South Australian Women of Impact Award winners?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Deputy Premier, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector, Special Minister of State) (15:45): I thank the honourable member for his very good question. The South Australian Women of Impact Award winners were announced at the end of September, following an extraordinary response of more than 100 nominations from right across the state. Held for the very first time this year, the awards were launched on International Women's Day as part of South Australia's first Women's Week. The awards were created to recognise and celebrate women across our state who are driving positive change, creating safer communities and shaping a more equitable South Australia.

The Women of Impact Awards acknowledge women leading across four categories: Aboriginal Impact Award, Impact in Community Award, Impact in Industry Award and Impact on Ending Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Award. All winners across all categories were very worthy of the recognition, given the significance of their impact, but as Minister for Aboriginal Affairs I especially want to acknowledge the achievements of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women who were recognised. Their work embodies resilience, cultural strength and a deep dedication to their communities.

Jade Wilson was announced as the winner of the Aboriginal Impact Award. A Ngarrindjeri, Arabana and Pitjantjatjara woman, Jade grew up in Port Augusta and understands the realities of regional life, where access to opportunities can often be more limited. She has built an impressive career in the public sector, beginning as a trainee in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission and now serving as Deputy Director for Aboriginal Strategy at the Department for Infrastructure and Transport. Jade has shown what leadership looks like, creating pathways for Aboriginal communities and businesses and contributing her voice to important initiatives such as The Power of Her, Women in Sport Taskforce and the SACA Aboriginal Cricket Advisory Committee.

Congratulations also go to other finalists in the category: Debra Moyle, Katie Coulthard, Sarah Decrea and Tiahni Adamson, each of whom continue to make an impact and an important difference in their communities.

Tiahni Adamson was also recognised and won the Impact in Community Award category. She is an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander woman from Thursday Island and is nationally respected as a conservation biologist, science communicator and climate justice advocate and was named the 2024 Young South Australian of the Year. She has worked closely with traditional owners to embed cultural governance in land management, ensuring that caring for country is guided by First Nations knowledge and leadership.

The other categories also recognised incredible contributions across our state. The Impact in Industry award went to Assistant Chief Fire Officer Ann Buesnel, who has led on the frontlines of fires and emergencies across South Australia and the nation for a quarter of a century. The Impact on Ending Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Award was presented to Dr Kristina Birchmore, Manager of Cedar Health Service at the Women's and Children's Health Network. Congratulations to all winners who have inspired others to follow and remind us that creating impact begins with one person deciding to make a difference.

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