South Australia’s 2027 Australian of the Year winners revealed

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Photo credit NADC/Salty Dingo

Four South Australians changing lives through medical innovation, space education and community advocacy have been named the state’s 2027 Australian of the Year Award recipients, with an Adelaide surgeon taking out the top honour.

Announced at a ceremony in Adelaide on Thursday night, the awards recognise individuals whose work is making a difference locally and around the world.

Somerton Park gynaecologist and reconstructive surgeon Dr Fariba Behnia-Willison has been named the 2027 Australian of the Year for South Australia, recognised for her groundbreaking contributions to women’s healthcare.

The 60-year-old Iranian-Australian has dedicated her career to improving women’s health through pioneering pelvic floor treatments, surgical innovation and compassionate care.

Through SmartFem’s TGA-approved Victoria Graft System, Dr Behnia-Willison is advancing a technique that uses a woman’s own blood to create a graft for pelvic floor reconstruction, offering an alternative to synthetic mesh.

Her work also extends to supporting survivors of female genital mutilation through Desert Flower South Australia, where she provides restorative surgery at no cost.

North Adelaide’s Dr Roger Hunt has been named the 2027 Senior Australian of the Year for South Australia, following more than four decades dedicated to improving end-of-life care.

The 69-year-old palliative medicine specialist began his career at South Australia’s first publicly funded hospice and went on to become a founding member of Daw House Hospice.

He has held senior positions across Adelaide’s palliative care services, contributed to the establishment of Palliative Care Australia and helped shape legislation protecting patient choice and dignity.

A longstanding advocate for voluntary assisted dying, Dr Hunt now serves on South Australia’s Voluntary Assisted Dying Review Board.

Meanwhile, 23-year-old Edward Robinson from Blair Athol has been named South Australia’s 2027 Young Australian of the Year for bringing space technology into classrooms around the world.

Inspired by his own passion for rockets and engineering, Edward founded Robinson Aerospace in 2022 while studying electrical and mechatronic engineering.

His company produces RASCube, an educational satellite kit that allows students to build functional satellite replicas, collect live data and conduct experiments.

More than 1,700 kits have now reached over 200 schools across 18 countries, giving tens of thousands of students practical experience with space technology and engineering.

Rounding out the state’s recipients is Woodcroft’s Neil Davis, who has been named South Australia’s 2027 Local Hero for his work preventing youth violence.

Following the devastating death of his 17-year-old son Sam, who was killed by a single punch at a party, Neil established the Sammy D Foundation in 2008.

The foundation works to educate young people about the consequences of violence and encourage safer choices.

Now 63, Neil has delivered more than 2,000 presentations across schools, sporting clubs and juvenile justice programs, sharing his family’s experience to help prevent other families from experiencing similar tragedies.

National Australia Day Council CEO Carrie Leeson congratulated the four recipients on their achievements.

“Our South Australian recipients are a truly inspiring group of people,” Carrie said.

“Fariba is restoring health and dignity for thousands of women, while Roger is ensuring people have a choice and a voice in their final days. Edward is bringing space to young people all over the world, and Neil has turned personal loss into a campaign that is saving young lives.”

All four recipients will now represent South Australia at the national Australian of the Year Awards in Canberra on 25 January 2027, where the national recipients will be announced.