Meet Onkaparinga's 2025 Australia Day Award recipients
Published on 27 January 2025
Four local legends were recognised in the 2025 City of Onkaparinga Australia Day Awards at a ceremony at the South Adelaide Football Club on Sunday 26 January.
The annual awards recognise individuals and groups who have made outstanding contributions to Onkaparinga during the year.
Sixteen individuals and groups were nominated for this year’s awards. Congratulations to the four recipients! Read on to find out more about their achievements.
Citizen of the Year - Kerry McKeen
Kerry McKeen has been named Onkaparinga’s Citizen of the Year.
Kerry is part a group of volunteers with the Department for Correctional Services who support people newly released from prison and who may be on community-based orders.
According to the Department for Correctional Services, he plays an invaluable role not only in the southern suburbs but across Adelaide.
Since he joined as a volunteer in 2010, Kerry has worked with countless individuals as they start new lives, helping both high-notoriety, repeat offenders and first-time offenders who don’t return to the justice system.
For some former prisoners, the transition from incarceration means leaving friends and family behind, starting anew in areas they’re not familiar with. For others, it’s about learning to positively reconnect with their local community’
As a volunteer, Kerry assists in whatever way is needed, whether it’s helping people navigate support systems or find new ways to interact with the community, transportation to appointments, or simply listening.
Kerry demonstrates exceptional levels of empathy and understanding and takes all newly released prisoners at face value.
Young Citizen of the Year - Layla Bovell
Young Citizen of the Year, Layla Bovell, is a member of the South Australian Youth Forum, which advocates for the inclusion of youth voices in public policy, both in South Australia and further afield.
Layla was part of creating the Youth Forum’s annual report, which was presented to the City of Onkaparinga, the South Australian parliament, government ministers and academics, to influence decisions in the state.
She is a leader of the forum’s period justice framework to address period poverty, inequity and stigma and jointly led the Share the Dignity campaign and co-authored a Period Pride video which has garnered more than 4,500 views.
As a forum member she helped collect data on youth loneliness, co-authored the forum report Gender inequality in schools, co-designed See the Signs, a campaign about healthy relationships, and helped develop the statewide Youth Action Plan 2024-27.
Layla has previously received a Premier’s Recognition for Outstanding Service to the Community Award and a Volunteering SA Award for being a Community Changemaker.
Sportsperson of the Year - Steven Alderson
Willunga Golf Club member Steven Alderson has been named Sportsperson of the Year.
Diagnosed with autism, Steven started competing in All Abilities and G4D (Golf for Disabled) events.
During 2024, Steven chalked up a glimmering array of local, state and international tournaments, winning the SA Open, Webex Willunga, Andalusia Masters G4D in Spain and the DP World Tour Championship G4D Nett in Dubai.
Steven’s victory interview in Spain, in which he talks about being bullied, living with autism and his gratitude for Willunga GC and living in South Australia, has gained international viral status.
His words have touched families throughout the world. He’s received individual messages of appreciation from families touched by disability and their challenges. He has received media requests from Europe and America, crossing into non-sports platforms.
Under the banner of Spud14, Steven has also embarked upon ambassadorial roles with 14 organisations that provide services relating to autism, bullying, mental health and suicide prevention.
Event of the Year - Christies Beach Surf Lifesaving Club
The Christies Beach Surf Lifesaving Club won the Community Event of the Year for hosting the South Australian Surf Life Saving Championships in March 2024.
More than 650 competitors, family members and friends attended the event, boosting the local hospitality and tourism sectors and showcasing the Fleurieu’s mid coast.
The event also promoted the critical role that surf sports have in developing young athletes, fostering community leaders, and championing beach safety.
And it was all done with volunteers.
Around 30 officials volunteered their time as administrators and managers, first aiders, water cover, event officials, and team support. They’re efforts ensured a great event and the safety of all participants.
The club also runs the Snippers program with Christies Beach Primary School and participates in the Parnggi Yarluwar Porlar program for First Nations children.
The club has been recognised its community programs and young athletes’ achievements and in 2020 it was named SA Surf Lifesaving Club of the Year and was a finalist in the national awards.