Aboriginal Impact Award finalists

A resilient Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women who consistently contributes, advocates and challenges the status quo, achieving a shared vision for the Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander community, striving for equity, parity, and non-discrimination of her peers.

Debra Moyle

Deb Moyle is a proud Ngarrindjeri woman and a member of the First People of the Millewa Mallee. Deb has an extensive professional and community background over more than 25 years in Aboriginal early childhood education, adult education and training, community development, community leadership and justice reinvestment. Deb is a passionate advocate for Aboriginal children, families, men, women and communities, and has worked tirelessly to improve and change lives for Aboriginal people. Since 2017, Deb has been a Red Cross Program Manager for Justice Reinvestment and has led the establishment of the first Aboriginal community-led justice reinvestment initiative in SA, known as Tiraapendi Wodli. Deb has spearheaded an approach to justice reinvestment based on a deep understanding of how individuals can take control of their own lives by connecting with others and finding support.

Jade Wilson

Jade is a proud Ngarrindjeri, Arabana and Pitjantjatjara woman. Having grown up in regional South Australia in Port Augusta, she understands the complexities of living in a country town where access to services, jobs and training opportunities can be limited. She commenced as a trainee in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) 21 years ago and continued to serve the Public Sector in various roles, including her current one as the Deputy Director for Aboriginal Strategy at the Department for Infrastructure and Transport. She is passionate about providing opportunities for staff, Aboriginal communities and Aboriginal business when they arise. Jade is a is an active member of The Power of Her, Women in Sport Task Force, and the SACA Aboriginal Cricket Advisory Committee.

Katie Coulthard

Katie Coulthard is a proud Aboriginal woman and senior public servant whose leadership has transformed maternal and child health, Aboriginal workforce development, and policy reform across South Australia. With over 30 years of experience, Katie has worked across community-controlled organisations and state government to elevate Aboriginal voices and embed cultural authority in systems. From her early days at Pika Wiya Health Services, to leadership roles at Aboriginal Family Support Services and Drug and Alcohol Services SA, Katie has created pathways of safety, care, and healing for Aboriginal families. As the Manager of Child and Maternal Health, she led the Continuity of Care Protocols Program, now a national exemplar in co-design and cultural reform. Currently Manager of Investment, Evidence and Performance at the Department for Health and Wellbeing, Katie is recognised as a systems innovator and cultural leader, creating policies and services that reflect the strength of Aboriginal women and families, not their trauma

Sarah Decrea

Sarah Decrea, a proud Zenadth Kes (Torres Strait) woman, has been with Relationships Australia SA since 2012, integrating her expertise in counselling, trauma-informed practice, and family group conferencing with First Nations' wisdom. Sarah is the Executive Manager of Children's Services and has extensive experience in leading children’s programs to be accessible to families across South Australia.

Tiahni Adamson

Tiahni Adamson, a proud Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander woman from the Kaurareg Nation of Thursday Island, is a nationally recognised conservation biologist, science communicator, and advocate for climate justice. As National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Engagement Manager at Bush Heritage Australia, she partners with Traditional Owners to embed cultural governance in land management. She also serves on the Board of Green Adelaide and SA’s Premier’s Climate Change Council, and runs a business helping organisations embed Indigenous knowledge in sustainability strategies. Named 2024 Young South Australian of the Year and recipient of the University of Adelaide’s Tirkapena Indigenous Distinguished Alumni Award, she has reached over a million people through national and global speaking. Her work spans activism, STEM education, and cross-cultural partnerships, advancing healing-centred, community-led climate solutions that honour Country and culture.

Impact in Community Award finalists

A woman who has brought positive change and impacted their community through commitment to their field or passion.

Eleonora Finoia

Eleonora is a prominent figure in the SA Italian community for her impactful work as a Volunteer and Community Engagement Officer at Radio Italiana 531. Her community service journey began upon her arrival in Australia, volunteering with Nonna's Cucina and the Coordination Italian Committee. With 18 years of volunteer experience and a decade at the radio, Eleonora manages 115 volunteers and 50 programs, overseeing 100 events annually. She empowers women to present shows celebrating Italian music and culture, amplifying their voices and inspiring leadership. Eleonora’s initiatives, such as the International Women's Day Dinner, address cultural barriers and provide a safe space for women to share their stories, making her a vital advocate for women's rights in the community. Her exceptional leadership and strategic vision continue to enhance community engagement and representation, leaving a lasting impact on those she serves.

Natalie Wade

Natalie Wade is a pioneer in advancing disability rights and founder of Equality Lawyers. She delivered Australia’s inaugural Disability Leadership Oration in 2023 and set the national agenda, focusing on ending segregation of disabled people through disabled leadership. She is one of Australia’s foremost disability human rights lawyers and is leading the first reform to the NDIS in response to the NDIS Review. Her contributions span law reform and human rights campaigns advancing the rights of women and girls with disabilities, migrants with disabilities and leading advocacy for a Human Rights Act in SA. Ms Wade authored Disability Rights in Real Life, a disability rights handbook and represented Australia at the UN Conference of State Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (16th session). Currently, she holds several public policy-influencing roles including on the Australian Disability Strategy Advisory Council.

Stacey Gray

Stacey Gray is a proud Arrernte woman whose career reflects over 20 years of dedication to creating opportunities, offering support, and driving positive change in social work and human services. As SA Operations Manager for Shooting Stars, a school-based engagement program for Aboriginal girls and young people, Stacey has been key to its growth since expanding into SA in 2021. Her ability to build strong, culturally grounded connections has made a lasting impact on participants, staff, and partners. Stacey’s leadership is shaped by lived experience, cultural knowledge, and deep understanding of the systemic challenges facing young people. She brings a person centred, community-led approach to all she does. Beyond work, Stacey contributes to several local committees, including the Whyalla NAIDOC Committee, Whyalla Aboriginal Sporting Association, Whyalla Table Tennis Association, and Centrecare Catholic Country SA Board, where she continues to uplift and support her community.

Tiahni Adamson

Tiahni Adamson, a proud Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander woman from the Kaurareg Nation of Thursday Island, is a nationally recognised conservation biologist, science communicator, and advocate for climate justice. As National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Engagement Manager at Bush Heritage Australia, she partners with Traditional Owners to embed cultural governance in land management. She also serves on the Board of Green Adelaide and SA’s Premier’s Climate Change Council, and runs a business helping organisations embed Indigenous knowledge in sustainability strategies. Named 2024 Young South Australian of the Year and recipient of the University of Adelaide’s Tirkapena Indigenous Distinguished Alumni Award, she has reached over a million people through national and global speaking. Her work spans activism, STEM education, and cross-cultural partnerships, advancing healing-centred, community-led climate solutions that honour Country and culture.

Yvette Eglinton

Driven by her lived experience with disability, Yvette (Yvie) Eglinton is a dynamic leader of the Access for All Program, transforming how people of all abilities connect with South Australia’s national parks. As the architect of the Department for Environment and Waters Disability Access and Inclusion Plan, she spearheads initiatives like Opening the Door to Nature, which provides free access to all-terrain wheelchairs, and partners with health services and local councils to expand inclusive facilities. Yvie’s forward-thinking approach has led to accessible changing facilities, nature-based rehabilitation programs and inclusive outings through the Accessible Outdoors Program. A dedicated advocate and mentor, she was a finalist in the 2024 Premier’s Excellence Awards in Leadership in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Her tireless efforts open the natural world to those previously sidelined, improving accessibility standards and changing the way communities view equity and diversity.

Impact in Industry Award finalists

A woman who has made an enduring commitment and impact to their prospective industry, which has brought about significant and lasting change.

Ann Buesnel

Commander Ann Buesnel is a highly skilled and incredible leader who has served on the frontline of fires and emergencies, as both a volunteer and a career officer, across South Australia and the nation for the past 26 years. Her hard work, commitment to learning, and passion have contributed to not only making the SACFS better, but to securing better outcomes for communities during times of crisis. Highly trained, innovative, authentic, and inspiring, Commander Letcher is a great role model and mentor and has had an impact across the entire SA Country Fire Service.

Helen Whait

Helen Whait is a business speaker, franchising expert, and award-winning leader in allied health.  Helen is passionate about occupational therapy and is a strong advocate for the profession. Helen founded ActivOT in 2007 and in 2012 ActivOT became the first Occupational Therapy franchise in the world. Now, with over 65 franchisees serving 10,000+ clients across five Australian states, ActivOT was named one of Australia’s Most Innovative Companies by the Australian Financial Review in 2024. Helen has been widely recognised for her forward-thinking leadership, across the franchising, allied health and business sectors. Through her own experience franchising ActivOT, she has seized the opportunity to support other founders to scale their businesses. She has a strong vision for a future where growth through franchising is no longer an afterthought, but a sustainable and adaptive way of doing business.

Dr Ilaria Pagani

Dr. Ilaria Pagani is a passionate biomedical researcher and compassionate leader transforming care for Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) patients. Her pioneering work has advanced treatment-free remission as a potential cure, shaping international clinical guidelines and offering new hope to patients worldwide. As co-founder of CML Australia—the first national patient organization dedicated solely to CML— she empowers individuals and families through education, advocacy, and support. Beyond the lab, she mentors emerging scientists and leads the Italo-Australian Research Association (ARIA), fostering global collaboration and championing equity and inclusion. A sought-after speaker and respected expert, Dr. Pagani bridges cutting-edge research with real world impact, inspiring patients, researchers, and communities alike. Her work exemplifies how science, compassion, and advocacy together can drive transformative change in people’s lives.

Jo Stewart- Rattray

Jo has over 30 years’ experience in the IT field some of which were spent as CIO in Utilities and as Group CIO in the Tourism space and with significant experience in the Information Security arena including as CISO in the healthcare sector. Jo served as a Director on ISACA’s global board for seven years and was the founder of its global women’s leadership initiative, SheLeadsTech. Jo rolled out the SheLeadsTech program in 16 countries and it is now in some 180. Jo Has had the great privilege of being invited to join the Official Australian Government Delegation to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women as acting technical advisor. Jo has an award established in her honour to recognise her outstanding leadership and commitment to increasing the representation of women in technology and leadership.

Dr Mary Retallack

Dr Mary Retallack is highly regarded in the wine, agroecology and agribusiness sectors and is focused on growing resilience, profitability, and fruit quality by finding tailored, practical, timely and ecologically focused solutions. Retallack Viticulture Pty Ltd (trading as Retallack Ecology) offers a broad range of agribusiness and agroecological consulting services throughout Australia and overseas. Mary is the founder and manager of the award winning EcoVineyards program, which champions practical ecological solutions for a broad range of production systems. As an experienced agricultural scientist, agroecologist and third-generation viticulturist, Mary brings a wide range of skills and experience from practical, research, teaching, consultancy roles and is recognised internationally as a Chartered Agriculturist (CAg). These skills have been gathered over the past 30 years along with a PhD in Viticulture and Plant Protection and associated tertiary qualifications.

Impact on ending Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Award finalists

A woman who has contributed tirelessly towards working to end DFSV in South Australia.

Amanda Brownlie

Amanda is a public sector leader, parent, and survivor-advocate who has used her lived experience of sexual violence to drive community and systemic change. As Executive Manager in the Office of the Chief Executive at TAFE SA, she balances leadership responsibilities with ongoing advocacy work. She volunteers her free time to advocate on behalf of women to improve responses to gender-based violence, influence policy reform, and raise awareness about the realities and long-term impacts of sexual violence.

Kellie Watkins

Chief Inspector Watkins is the Officer in Charge of the Family and Domestic Violence Section. She is a well-respected and prominent female leader in a traditionally male dominated organisation. Kellie has been creating positive change throughout her policing career and for over 20 years has been a steadfast advocate for social justice issues and female empowerment.

Dr Kristina Birchmore

Dr. Birchmore is a Social Worker and is currently the Manager, Cedar Health Service: Inclusive Domestic and Family Violence Healthcare.  This position is located within the Health and Recovery Trauma Safety Services (HaRTSS) Division of the Women's and Children's Health Network (WCHN), SA Health. The role involves responsibility for strategic responses to Domestic and Family Violence and the Cedar Health Service Team which includes the Multi-Disciplinary Consumer Facing Team, Strategic Projects & Training Team, and the Multi-Agency Protection Service (MAPS). Dr. Birchmore has worked in the field of gender-based violence in the areas of research, practice, training, and the tertiary education sector. Since 2003, she has been a sessional lecturer and tutor in gendered violence and mental health at the University of South Australia providing positive learning experiences that are inclusive of all participants.

Stacey Nelan

Stacey Nelan is a prominent South Australian survivor advocate and activist, dedicated to advancing gender equality and ending violence against women. Her advocacy is deeply rooted in personal, harrowing circumstances, compelling her unwavering commitment to driving systemic change and legislative reform. Stacey's story is one of survival and resilience, recovery and empowerment. She uses her lived experience to educate and inspire others, advocating for positive societal changes that enable victim-survivors to thrive whilst calling all men to be part of the solution to ending violence against women. In 2019, Stacey co-founded Pay Our Respects to Australian Murdered Women, an annual Adelaide event honouring women murdered due to gendered violence. Stacey is passionate about supporting women through the worst time in their life, to living a life they love. She is a powerful force for change—resilient, compassionate, deeply impactful and a beacon of hope, inspiration and strength for many.

Tania Sansbury

Tania is a proud Narungga woman, known throughout the community as an "Auntie" as she is well respected as a deeply cultural woman. She often attends yarning circles to share knowledge and experiences. Working with Tania and listening to her stories, her passion for her culture, community and family radiate through the stories she tells, and the work she does. She is a strong advocate for women and children experiencing domestic and family violence and an avid counsellor with a wealth of knowledge, supporting people to healing and living a life free of violence and strong in their identity.

Special Mentions

Dr Christine Davis

Dr. Christine Davis (Cris) was a respected educator, researcher & curriculum reformist who, in retirement, volunteered her expertise to become the founding Chair of Rainbow Hub SA. She advocated for the unique needs of ageing LGBTQI+ communities. Through the ‘People Ageing Well Project’, Cris established that LGBTQI+ people face specific ageing challenges due to past discrimination, including social isolation, mental health issues, and poverty. From 2021–2023, Cris’s research produced the report Rainbow Horizons: Don’t Leave Me This Way, highlighting improvements to inclusive end-of-life care for LGTBQI+ people. It sparked intergenerational dialogue and a compassionate community research model for broader use. In palliative care, Cris secured a grant to ensure advocacy into 2025 and beyond —testament to her unwavering commitment to reform. Cris was a visionary thinker, brilliant researcher and activist whose legacy continues to empower LGBTQI+ women and communities.

Denise Hatzi

Denise was a trailblazer for women in civil engineering. She was a civil engineer at the SA Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT) for 23 years, where she was a strong advocate for equal outcomes for women, men and gender-diverse people. Denise worked on an impressive list of projects during her 23 years with the Department, including the design and construction of the Salisbury Highway Underpass, the Gawler bypass, road upgrade projects for Cross Road, Henley Beach Road and Kadina Road, the Sturt Highway Duplication and Seaford Rail Electrification. When Denise started working for DIT she was the only female employee working on construction sites. Denise lost her battle with cancer in April 2023, she was 55.