Award mix-up for the SA Senior Australian of the Year leads to two winners

Professor Kingsley Dixon’s work in botany has transformed Australian native plant conservation, including his landmark 1992 discovery that smoke triggers germination after bushfires.

As the founding Science Director at Kings Park, he built its research unit into a world-leading centre while spearheading WA’s reputation as a global hub for environmental science and mine rehabilitation. He also works closely with schools, communities and Indigenous groups to champion native seed programs and inspire a nature-positive future.

For decades, Jenny Duggan has been Katherine’s quiet “rubbish warrior,” transforming both the local landscape and community spirit through her daily clean-ups along the Katherine River.

Her advocacy has improved public safety — from helping introduce plastic wine bottles to supporting Neighbourhood Watch — while her work with the St Vincent de Paul Society provides crucial support for locals experiencing hardship.

Malcolm “Mac” Benoy has made a major contribution to climate change research as a volunteer citizen scientist dedicated to preserving South Australia’s meteorological history. Over two decades, he has led a volunteer group with the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) that has digitised more than 90,000 historic weather records, creating an invaluable resource for modern climatologists.

His work supports researchers worldwide as they use these records to better understand long-term climate patterns.

Sound designer, recordist and mixer has worked on some of the most successful films to come out of South Australia over the past 50 years.

The 79-year-old’s credits include Breaker Morant, The Lighthorseman, Bad Boy Bubby, The Tracker, Wolf Creek, Ten Canoes, Red Dog, and the AACTA award-winning documentary, My Name is Gulpilil.

One of James’ signatures is the creation of a uniquely Australian soundscape thanks to his use of location sound, particularly in Indigenous communities.

Professor Henry Brodaty has transformed the diagnosis, care and prevention of dementia. His own father had an early Alzheimer’s diagnosis in 1972, when the condition was poorly understood and support was scarce.

His career has reshaped psychiatry and dementia care globally, from co-founding the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing to leading groundbreaking research showing that simple, targeted interventions can delay or even prevent dementia. Today, he continues to lead with a vision for a future where dementia is better understood, treated and ultimately prevented.

It’s important work as dementia has just overtaken heart disease as the leading cause of death in Australia. Read more here.

Bryan Lipmann founded Wintringham after witnessing the harsh conditions faced by older homeless people, creating a safe and dignified home for those the traditional aged care system overlooked.

Today, the organisation supports 3,000 people with accommodation and home care. His advocacy has transformed care for marginalised older Australians, showing how one person’s vision can profoundly improve countless lives.

Cheryl Harris has been a driving force behind volunteer engagement on the Sunshine Coast, helping the region build a thriving network of thousands of volunteers across community, charity and disaster-relief roles.

As former CEO of Volunteering Sunshine Coast, she helped launch the Pathways to Employment program, using volunteering to boost skills, confidence and job prospects for people seeking work. Now chair of Healthy Ageing Partnerships, she continues to champion community wellbeing.