Purpose comes in many forms and this year’s South Australian recipients of the Australian of the Year Awards show how varied and personal that can be. Their work touches space, science, mental health and community building, yet all four share a steady commitment to lifting others.
Katherine Bennell-Pegg has become the first Australian to qualify as an astronaut through the national space programme. It’s a milestone that resonates well beyond her own journey. As a space engineer who has spent years encouraging young people to pursue STEM, she has become a familiar figure to students who might otherwise feel science is out of reach. Her story now gives them a new reference point and a very real example of where curiosity can lead.
Malcolm ‘Mac’ Benoy has spent around twenty years contributing to meteorology as a volunteer. His preservation of more than 90,000 synoptic charts and related documents has given researchers a depth of material they wouldn’t have otherwise had access to. His methodical approach and long-term commitment mean Australia’s climate history is better recorded, offering scientists a clearer view of long-term patterns. He speaks often about the value of steady work over many years and his award reflects that ethos.
Chloe Wyatt-Jasper brings a personal understanding to her advocacy. Through youth mental health work and support for survivors of domestic violence, she has become a voice that cuts through the hesitation many young people feel when discussing these issues. Her involvement with organisations such as Backpacks 4 SA Kids shows how practical help and open conversation can go hand in hand. People who have met her say she has a way of making difficult topics feel safer to talk about.
Ayesha Safdar’s community work centres on supporting migrant and refugee women as they settle into new surroundings. Through the Adelaide Pakistani Women’s Association, she has broadened outreach to women from many backgrounds. Her focus is on helping them gain confidence in language, education and employment so they can shape their own path. The women she works with often describe her as someone who listens first and guides second, which has helped build trust within diverse communities.
Together, the four recipients offer a reminder that positive change often grows from consistent effort, local involvement and a willingness to help others find their footing. Their stories vary widely yet share a thread of care, commitment and optimism about what’s possible when people are given the chance to thrive.
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