SALIFE Awards: Finalists announced in 8 more categories, including SALIFE Person of the Year
We’re pleased to introduce the second group of finalists in the SALIFE Awards, presented by Brand South Australia.
Each year, we ask you, the public, to give us your nominations for the SALIFE Awards.
The 14 category winners will be announced on December 4 at a glittering awards ceremony at The Piccadilly in North Adelaide – with tickets going on sale October 28.
Until then, meet the nominees in the final 8 categories…
South Australian Garden of The Year
Andrew and Susie Nugent acquired Bird in Hand Estate in 1997, when it was a neglected dairy farm on barren land with hardly any garden. While Andrew focused on establishing the winery and developing the Bird in Hand brand, Susie embraced the challenge of beginning the long journey of transforming the space into a garden.
Susie’s most rewarding project, The Private Family Garden, has the largest variation in species on the estate and is now a ‘collectors garden’ with various garden rooms. These include a formal garden at the home’s entryway, crab apple walk, strawberry and pumpkin patches, perennial borders, and woodland, French-inspired gravel and flower picking gardens.
Drouin is a five-acre flower and formal garden in the Adelaide Hills owned by retirees Jim and Sue Smith. The self-taught horticulturists and gardeners initially acquired for personal use in 2013, however, two years later, they started fundraising to help other garden owners, and in 2018 they opened it to the public.
The outstanding garden features a Monet-style bridge across the lake, a Japanese-style area and a ‘prairie garden’ inspired by Dutch designer Piet Oudolf, as well as seven water features including the rill and a walled garden.
Started by Aleisha Lynch, a third-generation horticulturist, Orcombe Farm Gardens is a one-acre country garden surrounded vineyards and the Barossa ranges. Inside the garden are exquisitely colour-coordinated perennial borders, areas for growing Australian natives, succulents and cut flowers, a greenhouse with an aquaponic vegetable garden and a productive patch with wicking beds and fruit trees.
Each area is distinctly different with plants selected for drought-tolerance and durability as well as their form, flower and foliage colour. Harvested rainwater is the property’s only water supply, so the sustainable plantings thrive on modest supplementary watering through the summer months.
South Australian Artist of the Year
Photo: Sam Roberts
Adelaide-based visual artist Thom Buchanan began his artistic journey in the early 1990s, when he started exhibiting his work and refining his creative vision. His work is defined by a deep commitment to exploring the complex relationships between natural and built environments, with a consistent focus on themes of space, time, memory and human perception.
His diverse and evolving practice spans painting, drawing, installation, photography, video, performance and murals, and his performance work often incorporates sound, sculpture and interactive components, transforming spaces into immersive environments.
In SALIFE’s interview with Elena Carapetis, we got a sneak peak of the Whyalla born Greek and Cypriot writer and actor. From her first experience of sitting in the dark with others watching a story play out on stage, she fell in love with live theatre and was motivated to study drama at school.
Known for her appearance in the popular 1997 series Heartbreak High, Elena has written, directed and acted in many productions, attracting diverse audiences to the theatre. Her goal is to tell stories reflecting the lived experiences of women and marginalised communities, ensuring underrepresented voices are heard.
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One of Australia’s leading realist painters, Robert Hannaford AM is an acclaimed portrait artist, Archibald Prize finalist and multiple winner of the Archibald Prize People’s Choice award. He is also a highly regarded landscape artist and sculptor.
His public sculptures are scattered across the City of Adelaide, capturing other South Australian icons such as Sir Donald Bradman in The Cover Drive and performer Roy ‘Mo’ Rene.
South Australian Inspiring Future Leader presented by University Senior College
Isaac Humphries is a true jack of all trades. He is a professional basketball player for the Adelaide 36ers, a singer and songwriter, and a national ambassador for the R U, OK? initiative for mental health.
Following his emotional speech in 2022, Isaac Humphries came out as gay making him the first openly gay Australian male basketball player in the National Basketball League (NBL). Isaac’s biggest goal is to always advocate for visibility to remind kids, that they can be whoever and whatever they aim to be.
Space has been a passion since childhood for Isabella McCulloch. Her earliest memories are filled with starry skies and space camps, which ignited her love for the cosmos. This fascination carried through to high school, where she immersed myself in anything space or STEM-related, and into university where she co-founded a space club that became one of the most active on campus.
Isabella works as the Senior Program Operations Officer at the Australian Space Agency and recently returned from three months in the US, where she studied with NASA at Rice University, alongside over 150 space professionals from around the world. She was one of only five Australians, and the only representative from South Australia. She says it was an honour to represent her country, and that being surrounded by such a global community showed her that the challenges we face in space are really opportunities for growth.
Hugo Taheny, AKA Hugo Rockstar is a 23-year-old athlete and a proud Health Ambassador for Down Syndrome Australia. He has represented Australia five times and was recently awarded the Australian Sports Medal.
Hugo has also twice won South Australian Sports Institute (SASI) Para Athlete of the Year. He is passionate about Inclusion and Diversity as he aims to ensure everyone is treated equally – with respect and with a person first approach.
His experience uniquely differs from any athlete as having Down syndrome means he is not a ‘pathway’ athlete, making him ineligible to compete at the Paralympic level. Despite these challenges, he aims to represent Australia as an Olympian/Paralympian, hopefully by the Brisbane 2034 Olympic Games.
Absolute Best Tourism Experience
Brindabella Sailing is the product of a shared dream between Brigid Dighton and her partner, Johnny Hilhorst. In early 2021, they became the custodians of the iconic maxi yacht, Brindabella, with the goal of merging their love for the sea with an unforgettable sailing experience for their guests.
The business distinguishes itself with exclusive sailing adventures and marine park licences, allowing for versatile activities like snorkelling, kayaking and shore-based adventures, such as guided oyster farm tours and First Nations-led cultural tours. Their ambition is to ensure that each guest who steps aboard Brindabella enjoys a high-quality adventure.
Launched in 2013, Mayura Station’s Tasting Room is a boutique restaurant on the Wagyu beef farm, a few minutes’ drive from the township of Millicent in the South East.
The restaurant showcases the award-winning and industry’s best Mayura Full Blood Wagyu. With a fully open kitchen and an option to dine around the Chef’s Table, guests enjoy an elevated interactive dining experience and can learn more about wagyu cattle, the farm operation and the different cuts of beef being utilised.
The Tailor Touring Co, launched in 2019, offers guests the opportunity to explore South Australia through the elements of culture, nature, food and wine with bespoke, personalised tours through the Adelaide Hills, Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale.
This includes taking guests behind the scenes to experience some of the state’s iconic brands, renowned culinary providers and artisan producers. These include a behind the scenes tour of the R.M. Williams workshop, a private tour of the world’s largest Aboriginal ethnographic collection with the Museum of South Australia’s Head of Humanities and a private dining experience in a historic Adelaide Hills home or on the Barossa farm.
South Australian Designer: Home & Lifestyle presented by Terrace Floors + Furnishings
Little Road Interior Design aims to create interiors that are both functional and inspiring, where every space reflects the unique needs and aspirations of their clients. Founder Marcus Syvertsen believes that great design goes beyond aesthetics – it’s about crafting environments that enrich people’s lives and foster a sense of connection, comfort and purpose.
In addition to residential projects, Little Road Interior Design is behind major hospitality projects like Oliver’s Taranga Vineyards cellar door and the Salopian Inn refurbishment.
Proske is dedicated to crafting bespoke spaces that reflect the unique story of each project. Founded in 2013, the firm offers comprehensive services, from brief establishment, to architectural and interior design, to furniture and styling, with a focus on true collaboration and building lasting relationships.
Believing every space has a unique story to tell, their aim is to craft bespoke architecture and interiors that reflect the uniqueness of each project. Focusing on quality outcomes and thoughtful details, they strive to shape spaces that not only look beautiful but function intuitively, promoting a sense of place, while also integrating innovative technologies and passive design principles to reduce environmental impact and create healthier homes for their clients and their families.
Photo: Caroline Cameron
For over four decades, Williams Burton Leopardi has been creating timeless spaces where people thrive. They believe that extraordinary places are born from bringing people together, building trust and sharing perspectives. At the heart of their multidisciplinary practice is a commitment to people – a deep-rooted connection with their clients, collaborators and the community around them.
Led by David Burton and Sophia Leopardi, the studio is a place where architecture and interior design come together in a holistic and collaborative process from beginning to end. Their work is grounded in the present while embracing the possibilities of the future. Through adaptive design, they’re able to enhance relationships between people and place while creating enduring environments to be enjoyed today, tomorrow, and always.
Absolute Best Event of the Year
Now in its fourth year, Illuminate Adelaide lights up Adelaide’s streets every July. The premier winter event turns Adelaide’s streetscapes and iconic locations into a city-wide spectacle with the boldest innovation in art, light, music and technology from around the world.
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Home grown Rachael Azzopardi and Lee Cumberlidge, Illuminate Adelaide co-founders and creative directors, returned to live in South Australia after decades of working in the arts, theatre and events sectors both interstate and abroad, and saw a void in Adelaide’s winter as a significant opportunity to create a new major annual event for the state. .
With massive crowds, unforgettable team moments and top-tier performances, LIV Golf Adelaide has quickly become a must-see sporting event in Australia.
LIV Golf aims to continue to revolutionise the traditional sport of golf, making it more dynamic, accessible, and engaging for both seasoned golfers and new fans alike. By introducing a team-based format, shorter tournaments, and a lively, festival-like atmosphere, LIV Golf offers a fresh and exciting approach to the sport. The 2025 event promises to raise the bar even higher, featuring top-notch golf, live music at Après Golf Concerts and plenty to do in the heart of Adelaide.
Tasting Australia is Australia’s premier food and beverage festival and one of the longest-running events of its kind in the nation.
The event inspires visitors, chefs, producers, media and buyers to experience the best of our state – and ensures local audiences are always at the party too. It also supports the local hospitality industry by shining a light on the wonderful produce and producers in South Australia and sharing their stories with the world.
South Australian Product of the Year
LIMON is a family-owned business putting their hearts and souls into creating an authentic South Australian-made Limoncello using fresh produce from local farmers and growers with sustainability in mind.
Founder Summa McCracken wanted to create something modern and classy that not only tasted great but looked beautiful displayed on a shelf, in a restaurant, or given as a gift. All the peeling is done by hand and the whole family gets involved, from the kids to the grandparents. Every part of the business uses South Australian products and services – from distilling to labelling and packaging, it’s all South Australian.
LIMON supply to online consumers, retailers and restaurants, such as The Star Of Greece, Penfolds, Dolly, Olivetti, Down The Rabbit Hole, Mitolo and many more.
Mr Olio founder Alec Randall began in culinary journey in Sicily in 2022, where he discovered the simple pleasure of preparing healthy yet delicious dishes with a touch of the finest extra virgin olive oil.
Mr Olio is a fun, squeezable bottle that’s refillable. But beyond that, it’s a whole approach to cooking and kitchen life. Alec wants the average person to feel like a rockstar every time they step into their own kitchen. Coming soon, Mr Olio will be introducing official refills and partnering with cafés to offer customers refills in-store, as well as launching new flavours and related products.
Hayley Norman and Tammy Schubert founded Willow Bay Australia in 2017, after seeing a gap in the market for handbags crafted from neoprene that could easily transition between work, beach, brunch, gym and beyond.
The success of their Boutique Tote solidified their place in the market and they’ve since rolled out their travel, kids and statement art gallery collections. Selling nationally and internationally from their base in Adelaide, they’re working towards expanding globally into Japan, Singapore, USA and China.
SALIFE Person of the Year presented by SALIFE
Maggie Beer is a beloved Australian cook, food producer, restaurateur and food writer based in the Barossa Valley. With her husband Colin, she established the renowned Pheasant Farm Restaurant in 1979, known for its local produce and innovative dishes. She’s known for her Maggie Beer gourmet food products, co-hosting The Cook and the Chef on ABC TV, and her appearances on MasterChef Australia.
Maggie has authored numerous cookbooks and received the Order of Australia for her contributions to tourism and hospitality. Beyond her culinary achievements, she’s an advocate for improving aged care food through the Maggie Beer Foundation. She’s widely regarded as one of Australia’s most influential food personalities who has helped shape modern Australian cuisine.
Photo: Collins Aerospace
Earlier this year, Katherine Bennell-Pegg become the first Australian astronaut (representing Australia) after graduating from European Space Agency training as a professionally qualified astronaut and member of The Hoppers class. She also has the honour of being the first Australian woman to have qualified as a professional astronaut.
Katherine’s career as a space engineer spans almost 15 years at various space agencies and industry developing space programs and strategies, technologies and missions. She holds four degrees across science (physics major), space and aeronautical engineering, as well as an Honorary Doctorate in Engineering, received for services to the space sector and to inspire the next generation. She is also an Honorary Group Captain with the Royal Australian Air Force.
Kyle Chalmers has established himself as one of Australia’s most accomplished and recognisable swimmers following his breakthrough at the 2016 Rio Olympics, where as an 18-year-old he won Gold in the 100m freestyle, along with two Bronze medals in relays. He then went on to win four Gold and a Silver at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
Despite facing serious injuries in 2020, he made a successful return to swimming ahead of the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, narrowly missing out on a Gold by just 0.06 seconds in the 100m freestyle, claiming Silver in an unforgettable race.
At the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, he claimed three Gold medals, and went on to take home Gold in the 100m freestyle at the 2023 World Championships in Fukuoka. Most recently, he claimed Silver in the 100m freestyle at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Political journalist and commentator, television host, author and podcast host, Annabel Crabb is one of the country’s most recognisable media personalities – and not just because of her glasses. She won a Walkley Award in 2009 for her Quarterly Essay Stop At Nothing: The Life and Adventures of Malcolm Turnbull.
Combining wit with incisive thought, she’s known for TV shows like The House, Kitchen Cabinet and the Back in Time for Dinner series, documentary series Ms Represented. While her Chat 10 Looks 3 podcast and live shows with Leigh Sales have seen the pair build a huge following across Australia.
Award-winning Yankunytjatjara poet and author, and member of the Stolen Generation, Ali Cobby Eckermann only began writing in her 30s. She is known for her powerful novels Ruby Moonlight, which won Book of the Year and the Kenneth Slessor Prize for Poetry in the 2013 NSW Premier’s Literary Awards, His Father’s Eyes and She is the Earth.
Her work explores themes of Indigenous identity, intergenerational trauma, connection to Country, and the impacts of colonisation on Aboriginal communities. She gained international recognition when she won a Windham-Campbell Prize from Yale University in 2017, bringing wider attention to both her work and Indigenous Australian literature.
Michael Harvey joined the Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium of South Australia in 2021, bringing with him 20 years of experience in the museum, culture and science sector at institutions like the Natural History Museum in London, the British Council, the Australian Museum and the Australian National Maritime Museum. In March this year, he was appointed Chair of the Council of Heads of Australian Botanic Gardens.
Most recently, Michael pulled off a coup for the state in attracting world renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly’s Gardens Cycle exhibition to the Botanic Gardens. It is the first time the works will be seen in Australia, with Adelaide being only the third city outside of the USA to host the exhibition.
These are just some of the shortlisted finalists in this year’s SALIFE Awards, presented by Brand South Australia. See the full list here.
