November 28, 2007

Each year SA Great, with the support of the Government of South Australia, recognises inspirational South Australians through the South Australian of the Year Awards - celebrating and profiling individuals or organisations that have a consistent record of excellence and outstanding achievement whilst contributing and further developing our state.

Laureate Professor John Ralston was announced as the 2007 recipient of the prestigious South Australian of the Year Award and Niki Vasilakis was awarded the Young South Australian of the Year.

The Awards were announced by his Excellency the Governor, Rear Admiral Kevin Scarce AO, CSC, RANR and the Premier of South Australia, The Hon. Mike Rann MP at the black-tie presentation evening, at the Hyatt Regency Adelaide, in front of a sold out audience of peers, media and high profile business leaders.

Laureate Professor John Ralston, from the University of South Australia, was awarded for his outstanding contribution to scientific research. He is an internationally recognised expert in colloid and surface chemistry and their application in metallurgical engineering and technology.

Professor Ralston is the creator and Foundation Director of the Ian Wark Research Institute, known as ‘The Wark’, which has built an outstanding reputation around the world for high impact research and has become the national headquarters for the Australian Mineral Science Research Institute.

Attracting over $100 million in research funding, he has published nearly 250 research articles in leading scientific journals and 14 book chapters, has been granted 6 patents, and supervised over 60 PhD students.

The Premier, Mike Rann, congratulated Professor Ralston and Niki Vasilakis for their outstanding performances in two areas of special relevance to South Australia.

“The achievements of these two great South Australians are a credit to their own hard work, energy and creativity.

“Their recognition is also a credit to the local science and arts communities that help nurtured them – two fields of endeavour in which our state continues to boast both a national and international reputation.

“I warmly congratulate Professor Ralston and Niki Vasilakis, as well as the wonderful South Australians who were honoured with category Awards at this year’s ceremony.”

SA Great Chairman, Mr Nigel McBride congratulates Professor Ralston on being named the 2007 South Australian of the Year, who was also recognised this year as the inaugural Scientist of the Year as part of the South Australian Science Excellence Awards 2007.

“Here is a person who has achieved so much in so many ways – but what’s so relevant right now is that his work adds significantly to our fast growing mining industry, and it’s this industry that will play a major part in driving this state forward,” he said.

Niki Vasilakis was named the 2007 Young South Australian of the Year. At 25 she is an internationally renowned violinist and she treated the Awards’ audience with a special performance following her receiving her Award from the Governor.

Niki studied a Bachelor of Music Performance at the Australian Institute of Music and has also studied at Melbourne’s National Academy of Music, at the Julliard School of Music in New York and the Royal Academy of Music in London.

Niki who performs regularly as a soloist in Australia has also worked with the Prague Symphony. She has recently released her third album and is featured in the new film "4”, with the resonant and much-loved music of Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons.

Niki supports the community through mentoring, coordinating camps for Indigenous Youth and is an Ambassador for the Australian String Teachers Association.

SA Great Chairman, Mr Nigel McBride said that Niki is such a brilliant young musician with a very bright future ahead of her.

“We congratulate Niki Vasilakis on winning the 2007 Young South Australian of the Year Award in recognition of her expertise in her field, her international recognition and her community involvement.

“It was the fact that she is so generous in what she gives back to the community that impressed the judging panel when deciding on who would be the 2007 Young South Australian of the Year,” added Nigel.

The following people/organisations were awarded South Australian of the Year Awards for 2007 in nine categories, namely The Arts, Business, Community, Education, Environment, Health, Science, Sport, and Tourism.

The recipient of the 2007 South Australian of the Year Award in the Science category is selected from the winners of the 2007 Premier’s Science Excellence Awards. The recipient of the 2007 South Australian of the Year Award in the Tourism category is selected from the winners of the 2007 South Australian Tourism Awards.

All category Award recipients were at the presentation function excluding Sport category recipient Stuart O’Grady who couldn’t be at the presentation event because he’s in Norway the Team CSC pre-season training camp. Stuart’s father, Brian O'Grady accepted the Award on Stuart’s behalf.

AWARD CATEGORY RECIPIENTS

The Arts Marjorie Fitz-Gerald
In recognition for her sustained contribution to the Arts in South Australia resulting in increased opportunities and activity particularly for young people, emerging artists and regional South Australia. Founding board member of the Festival Trust and other board roles have included Chair of Country Arts SA, The Adelaide Fringe and The Independent Arts Foundation. Board member of South Australian Youth Arts Board and she is currently patron of Carclew Youth Arts Centre.

Business Greg Connor
Recognised for his leadership and significant contribution as the CEO of Savings & Loans Credit Union and for the company’s growth in addition to his service to the community through Board positions. Savings & Loans is the third largest Credit Union in Australia. Staff satisfaction levels have reached 85%.  One Greg’s initiatives has been the CEOchat line, where members can phone or have direct communication with the CEO.

Community Jessie Flavel
Recognised for her passion and commitment to Camps for Kids making a difference to lives of children with disabilities. In 14 years she has organised 14 camps, including raising funds, and her contribution to the program has been exceptional and long standing. She is recognized as a great ambassador and role model, and goes well beyond the ‘call of duty’.

Education ICAN (Innovative Community Action Networks) Program
In recognition of its successful programs, community involvement and overall contribution to education, retention and training. ICAN operates through the Department of Education and Children’s Services bringing together young people, families, schools, community groups, youth agencies, business and government agencies to find solutions to issues young people are facing in continuing education.

Environment Finsbury Green
Awarded for its leadership in the adoption of environmental best practice - an example of how business cannot just promote environmental awareness, but actively engage in sustainable practices. It was the first commercial printer in Australia to launch an environment brand and it is the nation’s first carbon neutral printer.

Health Professor Graeme Young
In recognition of his role in the Australia-wide bowel cancer-screening program and the impact this has had in South Australia, nationally and internationally. He was appointed the founding Professor of Gastroenterology at Flinders University in 1997, and his work in the prevention of colorectal cancer has gained an international reputation. He has shown leadership on national committees and boards and has advised government bodies worldwide on the prevention of colorectal cancer.

Science Laureate Professor John Ralston
In recognition of significant contribution to South Australia as the creator and Founding Director of the Ian Wark Research Institute. Also awarded the 2007 South Australian of the Year.

Sport Stuart O’Grady
In recognition for being the first Australian to win the Paris-Roubaix international road cycling race - the biggest and most renowned one-day race in the world. He is an expert in his field, continues to receive national and international recognition and his community involvement is significant to South Australia. He supports a team called Team O’Grady, which helps young riders, providing equipment and coaching.

Tourism Bill Spurr
Awarded for his significant contribution to tourism, events and education in South Australia over 20 years. His personal contribution went way beyond his role of Chief Executive of the South Australian Tourism Commission a position, which he retired in the middle of 2007. His leadership benefited the state through such events as the World Police Fire Games and World Solar Challenge. His other past roles include Executive Director of the Australian Hotels Association, Head of Adelaide TAFE Centre for Tourism Studies and Executive Director of the Adelaide Convention and Tourism Authority.

The South Australian of the Year Awards program is proudly supported by the Government of South Australia.