Everyday heroes: SA's Australian of the Year 2024 nominees announced

To be announced at Adelaide Oval on November 1, the categories for the awards include:

The announcement will be available to watch online at australianoftheyear.org.au.

SA's recipients will then join other states and territories as national finalists for the national awards announcement on Thursday, January 25, 2024 in Canberra.

Western Australia and the ACT have already announced their nominations, with other states and the Northern Territory to follow.

Since its inception in 1960, the awards program has provided a focal point for Australia Day celebrations and a forum for the recognition of outstanding achievement.

National Australia Day Council chief executive officer Mark Fraser AO CVO congratulated the South Australia nominees on their recognition.

"The nominees for the South Australia awards share a common thread of helping others and bringing attention to issues which need action," he said.

"They are 'doers' - people who make a difference, who won't be told they can't do something, who want to bring about change, who take action. They provide great inspiration for us all."

The SA nominees are as follows:

Stella Braund, 54, of Trinity Gardens

The mental health advocate helped establish 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732), the national domestic violence and sexual assault helpline, enabling vulnerable individuals to access crisis counselling and begin their journey of recovering from violence.

She has worked across four psychiatric inpatient hospitals advocating for trauma informed care, ensuring people living with mental ill health - and their carers and families - have access to appropriate, person-centred support services.

Stella continues to seek improvements in mental health policy, planning, emergency services and service design throughout SA Health, campaigning for a greater lived experience workforce.

An advocate for marginalised and vulnerable people, she also holds holds numerous executive board appointments across government. Stella is on the Women's Honour Roll and was recognised as a South Australian Citizen of the Year.

Associate Professor Susan Evans, 62, of Kent Town

Associate Professor Evans has dedicated her life to helping women and girls who experience pelvic pain and menstrual issues.

She is the co-founder of not-for-profit charity Pelvic Pain Foundation of Australia; founder of bio-pharmaceutical company Alyra Biotech; and helped secure government funding for the first National Action Plan for endometriosis. Associate Professor Evans has also served on multiple representative bodies and boards, and was the first woman elected to the Board of the Australian Gynaecological Endoscopy Society.

Timothy (Tim) Jarvis AM, 57, of Hyde Park

Tim is an environmental scientist, author, filmmaker, philanthropist and speaker.

He is involved in farmland restoration with the Forktree Project; is vice-president at Fauna & Flora; a global ambassador and governor of WWF; ambassador to Koala Life; and a board director of the Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife.

He has re-enacted Douglas Mawson and Ernest Shackleton's Antarctic explorations and advocates for the protection of Antarctica. In 2023, he he helped secure 475,000 square kilometres of marine sanctuary off World Heritage-listed Macquarie Island.

April Lawrie, 55, of Kaurna country/Kilburn

Mirning and Kokatha woman April Lawrie is dedicated to creating generational change for all children, and has led led systemic reform in Aboriginal health, justice, education and child protection for more than 30 years.

She is the inaugural commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People, leading work that promotes the rights, development and wellbeing of Aboriginal children and young people within South Australia.

April is co-founder of Tjindu Foundation, and director of the award-winning Far West Coast Aboriginal Corporation, helping establish business ventures for people in the far west coast.

Professor Frances Baum AO, 68, of Henley Beach

Frances has spent her professional life working to create healthy, equitable and sustainable societies. She is a past national president and life member of the Public Health Association of Australia, and Cancer Council SA board member

She served as co-chair of the Global Steering Council of the People's Health Movement, a global network of health activists addressing determinants of health. Her five-year NHMRC Investigator Fellowship, 'Restoring the Fair Go', is providing strong evidence for policies that reduce inequality.

Commander Stephen Dunning RAN (Ret'd), 72, of Mount Barker

Stephen has made a profound difference to veterans - especially those experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder - and people with a disability.

A survivor of a serious car accident, a qualified mental health practitioner and an Australian Defence Force (ADF) Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Trainer, Stephen has trained more than 600 ADF personnel, defence civilians and others in suicide prevention strategies.

He was instrumental in growing the disability support service Community Bridging Services and was a volunteer Navy Aide de Camp to four state governors.

Sister Meredith Evans - Sister of Mercy, 75, of Underdale

Meredith has provided kind, non-judgemental care and assistance to refugees, young people and vulnerable women through her vocation.

She established the South Australian division of Young Mercy Links; was instrumental in re-establishing Justice for Refugees SA and the Young Christian Workers Movement in South Australia; and helped start a new Circle of Friends in Adelaide, providing on-ground support for refugees.

She has helped engage people to contribute to the work of the Jesuit Refugee Service in Siem Reap, Cambodia, where homes are built for people with a landmine injury and their families.

Glyn Scott, 78, of Mount Barker

Glyn survived years of violence and sexual abuse - first as a child and later in her first marriage.

In 2006, Glyn gave evidence to the Children in State Care Commission of Inquiry about her childhood experience of sexual abuse. Her personal experience led to what became legal history in 2012 when a High Court decision ruled that there was no marital exemption to rape. This changed Commonwealth law nationally and set a precedent, paving the way for other women who had a similar experience to come forward.

In 2015, Glyn founded the Love, Hope & Gratitude Foundation. The organisation provides counselling, advocacy and educational programs to domestic violence survivors, and shelter for adults, children and pets.

She continues to devote her own time, money and skills to support and advocate for other domestic violence and sexual abuse survivors.

Chris McDermott, 60, of Adelaide

Adelaide Crows fans will know Chris as the team's first captain, and he's the founder and board chair of Little Heroes Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation supporting the mental and physical wellbeing of South Australian children.

Chris and footballer friend, Tony McGuinness, set up the organisation that became Little Heroes Foundation in memory of Nicholas Berry and Nathan McClean, two young boys who died of cancer.

In the last 27 years, Chris has helped the foundation raise and contribute almost $40 million towards major pieces of equipment and facilities at Adelaide's Women's and Children's Hospital.

Currently, the foundation is working closely with Breakthrough Mental Health Research Foundation to raise funds for child and adolescent mental health. It is also raising awareness of and funds for childhood dementia.

Chris is a radio presenter and sports commentator.

The other nominees are:

The nominees in this category are:

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