Nine incredible woman named The Advertiser Sunday Mail SkyCity Woman of the Year Awards 2025 winners
An Australian icon, a space tech innovator and a rising tennis star are among the winners of the The Advertiser Sunday Mail SkyCity Woman of the Year Awards. Read their inspiring stories here.
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An Aussie icon, an arts trailblazer and a space tech innovator are among the winners of The Advertiser Sunday Mail SkyCity Woman of the Year Awards 2025.
The winners of each category were announced with our People’s Choice winner – voted by our Advertiser.com.au readers, the winner of the Advertiser Foundation $10k Young Achiever scholarship and the overall Women of the Year selected from our category winners.
A who’s who of SA’s inspiring women walked the pink carpet at the awards at the Ballroom at SkyCity Casino, which this year celebrates its 40th anniversary.
Winners have been selected across nine categories: Jobs Statewide Leader of the Year, The Advertiser Foundation Inspiration of the Year, Rising Star, Top Business Professional, Solar Power Direct Top Innovator, Community Champion, SkyCity Hospitality Hero, Chihuly in the Botanic Gardens Creative Arts Trailblazer and Women in Sport.
Get to know the winning women and their incredible stories below.
Women in Sport winners: Anna Meares and Marjorie Jackson-Nelson
Two titans in women’s sport have been jointly awarded the Women of the Year title in the inaugural Women in Sport category.
Anna Meares first captured the nation’s attention in 2004 when she became the first Australian female gold medallist in track cycling, and claimed bronze in the women’s sprint in Athens.
In 2088 she fractured her neck, 2 millimetres short of a clean break, in a horrific accident in a LA velodrome. It could have killed her.
She was seven months out from the Beijing Olympics.
But Ms Meares made history once again when she took out a silver medal in the women’s sprint cycling.
As the best performing Australian female cyclist ever, Ms Meares went on to win gold at the London 2012 Games in the women’s sprint along with a bronze in the women’s team sprint.
Since retiring from the sport, Ms Meares has continued to be a powerful voice for female athletes and within the cycling community.
She was appointed Chef de Mission of the Australian Olympic Team for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, leading the team to their most successful Olympics of all time.
It was announced in November 2024 that Ms Meares would continue in this role for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
Marjorie Jackson-Nelson has been instrumental in addressing underrepresentation of women in sport.
Led by Sport SA, The Marjorie Jackson-Nelson Centre for Women’s Sport was established to address this issue in all avenues of sport, from athletes, coaches and officials to administrators, volunteers and board members.
Ms Jackson-Nelson also boasts an incredible sporting career, with two Olympic and seven Commonwealth Games Gold Medals, six individual world records and every Australian state and national title she contested from 1950 to 1954.
In late 2001, Jackson-Nelson was appointed Governor of South Australia; she held the post until 2007.
The inaugural winners of the Women in Sport category are also personal friends and passionate supporters of women in sport.
Ms Meares appeared via on the pair’s behalf to thank the judges for their award.
“(Majorie) has mentored me in so many ways....and to share this award with (her) is a real privilege and incredible honour,” Ms Meares said.
“I am grateful for women like Marjorie who have worked extremely hard to create opportunities for women like me today.
“I really want to thank my team, my family and all they did in supporting our Australian Olympians to be able to go out there and be their best.”
Top Business Professional winners: Annabel West
She is experienced in a range of industries and specialises in mergers and acquisitions.
Among her myriad of awards, Ms West was named Lawyer of the Year by the Best Lawyers Peer Review in 2023 in the South Australia, Corporate Law category.
The Doyle’s Guide for 2022-24 also dubbed her a “recommended lawyer” in the South Australian corporate law scene.
Outside of her professional life, the esteemed lawyer is a busy mum of four and wife to Premier Peter Malinauskas.
Another accolade was awarded to Ms West on Thursday evening as she was recognised as the Top Business Professional at The Advertiser Sunday Mail SkyCity Woman of the Year Awards 2025.
As she took to the stage to accept her award, Ms West said her law career has been a welcome “distraction” amongst her hectic schedule.
“I think probably the most rewarding thing for me is when, particularly South Australia based companies...we can help them realise and set themselves and their family for the future,” Ms West said about her work.
Ms West also spoke of her excitement of seeing more female representation in the legal world and even pointed fun at her husband’s recent parenting blunder of dropping their young son, George at the wrong location.
“I’ll just say it wasn’t the first time,” Ms West laughed.
Jobs Statewide Leader of the Year winner: Maggie Beer
One of South Australia’s favourite faces has been recognised as the Jobs Statewide Leader of the Year at The Advertiser Sunday Mail SkyCity Woman of the Year Awards 2025.
Maggie Beer appeared via video to thank those who nominated her for the award and the judges for selecting her.
“To be chosen from such an amazing group of women, to be given this honour...is so humbling but also makes me so proud,” Ms Beer said.
“My belief in women as leaders has always been part of my psyche.
“I believe we have such strength and drive and such reserves of emotional intelligence along with being smart too.”
“To do (Maggie’s Big Mission) was an amazing gift,” Ms Beer said.
“What it did was open up the conversation across Australia and to show homes that were struggling and wanting to do better that there is a way.”
SkyCity Hospitality Hero winner: Mandy Hall
MasterChef alumna, Mandy Hall has been using her platform to bring awareness to the issue of food wastage in Australia.
She now leads a nationwide campaign – ‘The Great Unwaste’ with End Food Waste Australia to unite Australians in the fight against food waste.
The organisation is currently working to halve Australian food waste by 2030.
The campaign seeks to inspire households across the country to implement simple-yet-effective changes that can significantly reduce food waste, ultimately saving money and promoting a sustainable future.
Ms Hall is a major advocate for using fermentation as a tool to reduce wastage in the kitchen and aid food production.
“I am not sure if that fourth champagne was a great idea”, Ms Hall joked when accepting the Hospitality Hero award.
Ms Hall used her time on the Women of the Year stage to shed light on her passion project and urge the public to take notice of the issue of food waste.
“These incredible women who are nominated alongside me tonight, who have put enormous effort into their craft, that love, that passion...to watch that all go to waste, it’s crazy,” Ms Hall said.
“Food waste is a crazy problem because it’s completely solvable.”
Chihuly in the Botanic Garden Creative Arts Trailblazer winner: Roz Hervey
Local theatre legend Roz Hervey, spent 30 years as a dancer, choreographer, director and producer.
She danced for ground breaking companies such as One Extra, Sydney Front, Dance North, Meryl Tankard and DV8.
She taught movement and devising part time at the drama course at Flinders University where she inspired hundreds of young theatre makers.
Ms Hervey was co-founder of and associate artist with Sydney dance-theatre company Force Majeure, and director of the Adelaide Fringe parade for four years, and creative director of Restless Dance Theatre for eight years.
In 2022, Ms Hervey was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) in late 2022, and explained her decision to use the state’s voluntary assisted dying laws in a heartfelt letter saying the disease had developed quickly over three months, and was impacting her breathing. The SA stage star said she wanted to “leave the party while it’s still going” and passed away on November 8, 2024, at the age of 58.
Ms Hervey’s impact on the stage and in the hearts of those who knew her remains profound—her artistry, passion, and spirit continue to inspire.
Her daughter, Hollywood actor Tilda Cobham-Hervey said “she encouraged us all ‘to seize the day’.”
Her husband Patch Theatre’s artistic director Geoff Cobham, their children Huey and Tilda and parents Pam and Gordon attended the Woman of the Year awards to celebrate her incredible legacy.
“She was always going to end up on the stage from the moment she came out...she was the most amazing performer,” Mr Cobham said during an emotional address to the SkyCity Ballroom.
“If she was here she would be very humble...she would talk about other artists.
“For you to be talking about her tonight and for us to be here is very special, thank you.”
Community Champion winner: Khadija Gbla
Community Champion winner, Khadija Gbla is an Australian feminist and human rights activist.
Ms Gbla, who uses she/her/they/them pronouns, is the founder of advocacy organisation, No FGM Australia which works to stamp out the practice of female genital mutilation.
The 36-year-old mother, who also works as a cultural consultant and keynote speaker, is an advocate for autism awareness, after being diagnosed as an adult – after her son’s diagnosis with autism and ADHD.
The model and refugee from Africa also lives with chronic fatigue, Ehlers Danlos syndrome (EDS), complex PTSD and complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS).
Ms Gbla’s vibrancy was evident as soon as she stepped onto the stage to accept the award.
The excited and emotional winner was overwhelmed by the honour, reflecting on a journey as a refugee fleeing war-torn Sierra Leone.
“Autistic people do matter and our lives and the way we experience the world is beautiful,” Ms Gbla said.
“This is our time, we are tired of being on the fringes of society and being seen as less than when we are everything that is right about society.”
The Advertiser Foundation Inspiration of the Year winner: Emma Stevens
Following the loss of her 18-year-old son Charlie Stevens at the 2023 Schoolies Festival, Emma Stevens has made it her mission to start the important conversation about organ donation.
Charlie, well-known for his cheeky grin opted as a 16-year-old Learner driver to become an organ donor; a simple decision that has provided others with a second chance at life,
Ms Stevens, who is the wife of South Australian Police Commissioner Grant Stevens, told The Advertiser she was proud of their “kind and generous” son’s choice to be an organ donor and said the touching letters from the people whose lives he saved offer a brief respite from the constant heartache of missing Charlie – the adored youngest of five children.
Seven strangers have since received Charlie’s organs with Ms Stevens saying she never wanted her son’s life to be “wasted”.
The Stevens were also a powerful voice in the road safety message in The Advertiser’s #101 campaign which called on all road users to drive with care and highlighted the true impact of lives lost on our roads.
Ms Stevens and her family shared a public letter about their loss, reflecting on the perfectly messy teenage boy room and beautiful life and generous spirit of their son Charlie.
The letter was a poignant window into their loving home and showed the real person behind the road toll tally.
“The truth is, they are not alone in their trauma,” Premier Peter Malinauskas said of the Stevens following the tragedy.
“Their situation is all too devastatingly common.
“When you’re behind the wheel, it only takes a moment of inattention to end a life, or change one forever. We must recognise the significance of the responsibility we bear.
“Enough is enough.”
Ms Stevens’ efforts to bring awareness to the importance of organ donation while dealing with her own grief makes her a worthy recipient the Inspiration of the Year award.
On Thursday night, Ms Stevens was emotional while speaking about her late son.
“It’s actually all about Charlie...Charlie’s everywhere I go,” Ms Stevens said while holding a necklace she wears in his honour.
Ms Stevens used her platform once again draw attention to organ donation.
“It was Charlie’s choice...and when we lost Charlie we had a conversation with the kids...and today there were eight people still alive and Charlie is still out there somewhere,” Ms Stevens said.
“Talk to your children, talk to your family, talk to your friends, talk to people in this room...tick the box, go online, please become an organ donor.”
Top Innovator winner: Flavia Tata Nardini
Head of one of Australia’s most acclaimed space companies, Flavia Tata Nardini has been recognised as the Top Innovator at the 2025 Women of the Year awards.
Ms Tata Nardini founded Fleet Space Technologies in 2015 – one of Australia’s most exciting start-ups.
A rocket scientist and former propulsion test engineer at the European Space Agency, Flavia is working to make those satellites enable high-value, real-time applications in industries such as mining, exploration, and defence.
Originally from Rome, love brought her to Adelaide where she has continued to pursue her passions. Born with “the space bug”, she says her motivation is to create a better future for her children and herself. Now, she dreams of one day travelling into outer space.
Rising Star winner: Amelia Griffin
Speech therapist, Amelia Griffin was inspired after an elderly client told her “you shouldn’t bother with me, my mind doesn’t matter”.
This interaction led to the creation of Ms Griffin’s app, My Mind Matters which helps those with special needs and autism as well as elderly people communicate more effectively.
After launching the app last year, Ms Griffin has taken out the Rising Star award at the The Advertiser Sunday Mail SkyCity Woman of the Year Awards 2025.
Ms Griffin was emotional as she walked the pink carpet , shedding tears on stage.
“I am so deeply honoured to even be in the same room as all of you inspiring women, I did not expect this,” the young star said.
“This is my entire life, I work with children as young as one year old up to adults who are 101 years old and working everyday with people who have so much to say but maybe don’t have the privilege of verbal communication.
“Every mind matters and every voice deserves to be heard.”
People’s Choice winner: Maggie Beer
South Australian food icon Maggie Beer has also been awarded the People’s Choice award.
The winner of this category was voted by our advertiser.com.au readers.
Ms Beer, who was unable to attend the The Advertiser Sunday Mail SkyCity Woman of the Year Awards 2025 in person, was overjoyed to have been recognised once again for her contributions to South Australia.
The beloved cook and media personality suffered from serious injuries after a fall last year and was overwhelmed by the support and love she received from admirers across the country.
“It was a wonderful feeling...there is no doubt that the support that came (and) that feeling of ‘we’re behind you’...it really affects you,” Ms Beer said.
“I often feel so lucky that people want me to get better.”
Thousands of South Australians got behind Maggie again to see her named the People’s Choice Woman of the Year.
Woman of the Year winner: Emma Stevens
Ever-inspiring, Emma Stevens has been recognised as this year’s Advertiser Sunday Mail SkyCity Woman of the Year for her courageous response to something she would not wish upon anyone.
Ms Stevens has received the accolade for being an unwavering advocate in raising awareness of organ donation.
In doing so she honours the memory of her 18-year-old son Charlie, whose life was tragically cut short during the 2023 Schoolies event.
While Charlie will be forever young, he left a lasting legacy by choosing to be an organ donor.
Emma, her husband SA Police Commissioner Grant Stevens and their family are incredibly proud of their “kind and generous” Charlie.
After suffering an unimaginable loss, Ms Stevens has bravely chosen to show up, in the face of her own grief, time and time again.
She has selflessly publicly talked about the need to have the organ donation conversation with your loved ones – and the importance of following through on the decision to tick the box.
In doing so, she has also played an enormous part in saving the lives of so many.
Ms Stevens has more than earned her place alongside previous overall winners – Julie-Ann Finney, Professor Nicola Spurrier, Professor Helen Marshall, Katherine Bennell Pegg and Corporal Kbora Ali.
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