The city’s annual recognitions are back: Pride Adelaide has announced the shortlists for the South Australian Pride Awards, a program that spotlights the people, groups, events and volunteers who contribute to a stronger LGBTQIA+ community in South Australia. These awards highlight both visible figures and those often described as quiet achievers, acknowledging the wide range of work—public and behind the scenes—that keeps community networks vibrant and inclusive.
The nomination and selection system combined community participation with expert review: a public nomination and voting stage produced a shortlist, followed by assessments from an independent panel to determine the finalists. Organisers shared that nearly 2,000 votes were cast this round, the highest turnout to date, demonstrating a heightened level of community engagement and interest in recognising local contribution and leadership across diverse categories.
Finalists and categories
Across ten award streams, Pride Adelaide has named five finalists in most categories. The shortlist for Community Group of the Year features Feast Queer Youth Drop In, Hike Society Adelaide Inc., Pride Of The South, Rainbow Crows and SA Rainbow Advocacy Alliance. In the Community Impact Award category the finalists are Damon Sawtell, Feast Festival, Feast Queer Youth Drop In, Marys Poppin and Pride Of The South, recognising both individuals and organisations that achieve measurable change.
The Employer Of The Year nominations include the Department Of Human Services, Diverse-City, Shine SA, Sonder and Uniting Country SA, reflecting workplace initiatives that support inclusion. For Event Of The Year the finalists are Drag High Tea, Laya & Fifi’s Drag Bingo & Trivia Events, Picnic In The Park, Poppin Out and the Southern Pride March And Family Fun Day. The First Nations Person Of The Year shortlist includes Damien Ralphs and Zane Weetra, celebrating Indigenous leadership within the community.
Arts, sport and volunteering recognitions
Health and wellbeing leadership has its own spotlight with finalists Affirm & Thrive, Hike Society Adelaide Inc., Shine SA and Thorne Harbour Health in the running. The Music And Live Performance Award recognises performers including Brooke Seto, Devious Adelaide, Emerauld and Glitzy Von Jagger. Nominees for Performer Of The Year are Eve Elle, Glitzy Von Jagger, Heidi Gun, Kleo Fox and Princess Laya. On the sport front, the Sports And Recreation Award includes Adelaide 36ers, Adelaide Queer Birders, Adelaide University Sharks Rugby Club, Hike Society Adelaide Inc. and Rainbow Crows. The Volunteer Of The Year shortlist lists Cherie Lee, Penny Mcauley, Sam Loughlin, Shayne Glasgow and Zac Cannell.
Selection context
The format acknowledges multiple types of contribution: public-facing achievements, ongoing program delivery and grassroots volunteering. The presence of repeat nominees across categories underlines how organisations and individuals can influence community wellbeing in several domains. The use of public voting combined with expert assessment aims to balance popularity with merit, and the organisers have emphasised transparency and community ownership throughout the process.
What happens next: gala, winners and Hall of Fame
All winners will be revealed at the South Australian Pride Gala, scheduled for Saturday, 6 June, in the SkyCity Adelaide Ballroom. Organisers report that approximately 95% of tickets are already sold, so attendees are advised to secure tickets quickly. The gala will also host the induction of two community figures into the South Australian Pride Hall of Fame: the late Eric Kuhlmann—described by peers as an artist, advocate and community leader—and long-time campaigner Pam Price, who has played a central role in shaping services and peer networks for women across the state.
Recognition and legacy
Pride Adelaide’s chair, Dave Newman, expressed deep respect for the Hall of Fame inductees and gratitude to their families for supporting the commemoration. Newman highlighted how the honour reflects the breadth of contribution each inductee made to community life, noting that Pam Price’s immediate concern when approached was whether accepting the award might prevent recognition of others—an anecdote often cited as emblematic of her community-first approach. Past Hall of Fame members include Ian Purcell AM, Vonni, Frank Ford AM and Helen Bock.
How to follow and get involved
Tickets for the 2026 South Australian Pride Gala are available now and community members are encouraged to attend to celebrate finalists and recipients. For ongoing coverage of LGBTIQA+ news, entertainment and community stories, readers can visit qnews.com.au and follow outlets on social platforms. The awards and gala are designed both to honour achievement and to strengthen networks that will carry the community forward into future projects and initiatives.