2009 Category Award Winners

Timothy Sexton is one of South Australia’s most prominent musicians, having worked as a freelance composer, conductor, arranger, singer, writer and adjudicator over the past 30 years. Currently the Artistic Director/ Conductor of the Adelaide Art Orchestra, he recently composed the original film score for the feature movie The Marriage of Figaro and has conducted many musicals and operas. In 2008, Timothy received the Premier’s Ruby Award for Sustained Contribution to the Arts by an individual.

Stefan Ahrens is the Managing Director of Ahrens Group Pty Ltd, a fourth generation family business. Stefan took over the business at age 25 and has since grown the business into a nationally focused company with five main operating divisions. The company has been listed in BRW’s Top 100 Fastest Growing Private Companies for many years, and is among the top 500 private companies in Australia.

Rosemary is an adjunct research fellow at the School of Psychology at the University of South Australia and is also the founding director of the Australian Institute for Loss and Grief. Through the Institute, Rosemary runs the Sacred Site Within Healing Centre, which provides counselling and support for Indigenous and non-Indigenous clients.

Christies Beach High School services the educational needs for the communities of Christies Downs, Hackham, Noarlunga Downs, Port Noarlunga, Christies Beach and O’Sullivan Beach. The school is a Category 2 Index of Educational Disadvantage School. Christies Beach High School operates under two unique and innovative educational philosophies: ‘Education for All’ and ‘Second Chance Learning’.

The ‘Friends of Sceale Bay’ (FoSB) has been an active defender and promoter of South Australia’s terrestrial marine environment, with a particular focus on the spectacular and remote ‘Chain of Bays’ region between Streaky Bay and Venus Bay on South Australia’s West Coast. FoSB has had a significant role in the conservation of threatened species, initiating a number of important and practical conservation outcomes.

Robert Norman is a Professor in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Adelaide. He leads the Robinson Institute, which specialises in reproductive health and regenerative medicine. The Institute consists of more than 200 researchers and many students. Professor Norman was named the 2009 South Australian Science Excellence Awards Scientist of the Year and in 2007 he was named one of 10 of the Best Minds in Australian Research.

Adelaide United FC has had amazing success in its short history. While it is one of the strongest clubs in the Hyundai A League, it is the success in the Asian Champions League throughout 2008 that made the world stand up and take notice of this club. The success of Adelaide United is unrivalled by any other Australian football club and these achievements brought extensive media attention to Adelaide and the State of South Australia.

Robert Norman is a Professor in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Adelaide. He leads the Robinson Institute, which specialises in reproductive health and regenerative medicine. The Institute consists of more than 200 researchers and many students. Professor Norman was named the 2009 South Australian Science Excellence Awards Scientist of the Year and in 2007 he was named one of 10 of the Best Minds in Australian Research.