Dr Jelina Haines has been recognised for her decades-long commitment to Aboriginal communities and marginalised groups, taking home the 2024 SA Governor’s Multicultural Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement.
A practitioner-academic with more than 21 years of collaboration with Aboriginal Elders, Dr Haines has used art, storytelling, and digital tools to empower communities. She was among nine winners and 31 finalists who gathered at Government House on 5 March, where the Governor of South Australia, Frances Adamson AC, presented her with the award.
Her work has strengthened social cohesion and intercultural understanding while championing Aboriginal arts. Since migrating to South Australia from the Philippines in 1997, she has led 52 minor programs, five major projects, and three international educational initiatives, creating vital income opportunities for Aboriginal artists and fostering a deep sense of identity within communities.
One of her most striking artistic collaborations has been with the Ngarrindjeri Cultural Weavers at Camp Coorong. This partnership has produced intricate woven sculptures representing Ngarrindjeri totems, including a life-sized whale exhibited at the SA Museum and the Le Havre Museum in France. Other works, such as the Pelican and Murray Cod sculptures, now feature in collections at the National Australia Gallery, the SA Maritime Museum, and government institutions.
Beyond the art world, Dr Haines has explored how digital technologies impact marginalised communities, particularly Aboriginal groups. Her award-winning research has influenced policies that bridge digital divides and create opportunities for underrepresented groups.
Currently serving as Policy Advocacy Lead at Catalyst Now Oceania and Co-Chair of Catalyst Now Australia Chapter, she also holds a leadership role at the Association for Information Science and Technology (ASIS&T) in the USA. She has mentored students from Japan, Asia, Europe, and America while guiding South Asian students in visual arts, archiving, information science, and anthropology.
UniSA Associate Professor David Radford was also a finalist in the Outstanding Individual Achievement category, recognised for his research and work supporting the settlement and integration of Hazara Afghan refugees in Australia.
Meanwhile, the University of South Australia and the University of Adelaide are set to merge into Adelaide University, which will open its doors in January 2026. This new institution aims to combine the strengths of both universities to enhance research, industry-informed teaching, and student experiences at a global level.
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