South Australian of the Year awards to recognise two winners after on-stage error
An awkward mix-up at one of SA’s most prestigious awards events – that left the audience groaning and the high-profile presenters red-faced – has taken another surprising turn.
After a mix-up of winners at the South Australian of the Year ceremony last Friday, the organisers have announced the decision to crown two winners in the senior category.
On Friday evening, ABC presenters Sonya Feldhoff and Jules Schiller announced meteorologist and long-time climate-change volunteer Malcolm Benoy as the winner of SA’s Senior Australian of the Year award – only for hosts to return moments later to declare there had been “a mistake” and the award actually belonged to fellow finalist James Currie.
Video captured by attendees shows the full awkward exchange, which is reminiscent of the infamous 2017 Oscars Best Picture mix-up between La La Land and Moonlight.
“Sorry we do have to make an apology particularly to you Malcolm Benoy, the wrong winner was in the envelope and we do apologise for that,” Ms Feldhoff said.
“We can announce that the 2026 Senior Australian of the Year is, in fact, James Currie. Congrats James.”
The crowd can be heard murmuring “Oh God” and “no’s” in response to the muddle-up, before clapping their hands.
However, a while later the National Australia Day Council CEO Mark Fraser AO CVO is seen hopping on stage and taking the mic to clarify that Mr Benoy was actually the correct winner.
“I don’t know what has transpired behind the scenes but it is incorrect information,” he said.
“The trophy is correct, the press release is correct and it’s Malcolm Benoy.”
Mr Fraser said he was “terribly sorry” and offered his congratulations before the audience erupted in applause.
Once the chaos settled, the focus returned to the four South Australians honoured for their extraordinary contributions.
But in another twist on Thursday, the Australia Day Council of South Australia and The National Australia Day Council announced in a media statement that they would be awarding Mr Currie as well in a “double recognition” award.
“The National Australia Day Council (NADC) sincerely apologises for a regrettable administrative error that led to confusion during last Friday’s South Australia Australian of the Year Awards presentation evening,” the statement read.
They explained that Mr Currie and Mr Benoy had been “tied in first place” following the voting by a South Australian selection panel.
Although the outcome was resolved by the panel, an administrative error by the NADC inaccurately recorded the results and were not identified prior to the presentation on Friday evening.
The NADC said they have “commenced a review into its processes to ensure such an error cannot recur”.
“We are grateful to Mr Benoy and Mr Currie for their patience and understanding and to everyone involved in the South Australia Australian of the Year Awards.
“Neither Mr Benoy nor Mr Currie were responsible for the error and both have acted with the grace befitting of the Senior Australian of the Year for South Australia”
NADC CEO Mark Fraser AO CVO said “the NADC wishes to apologise to both of them for the confusion”.
“We trust our mistake does not detract from their outstanding achievements and contributions to South Australia and the nation,” he said.
“The Australia Day Council of South Australia selection panel determined that both Mr Benoy and Mr Currie would be named as 2026 Senior Australians of the Year for South Australia.
“As a result, following consultation with Mr Benoy and Mr Currie, South Australia will have two exceptional finalists for the national 2026 Australian of the Year Awards in January 2026.”
In addition to Mr Benoy, Mr Currie is also joining other award winners, such as history-making astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg, teenage mental health champion Chloe Wyatt-Jasper as South Australia’s 2026 Australian of the Year and Young Australian of the Year, respectively.
Community leader Ayesha Fariha Safdar was also awarded 2026 Local Hero for South Australia.
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Originally published as South Australian of the Year awards to recognise two winners after on-stage error
