AWARDS

The Australia Day Citizen of the Year Awards are presented annually to local citizens and groups who have made outstanding contributions to the community. The Awards are provided by the Australia Day Council of South Australia and are administered by Local Government Authorities throughout the State on behalf of the Australia Day Council.

Community Event of the Year Award is based on the quality of the event, impact on the City of Adelaide, and the contribution to the community. Each year, the City of Adelaide receives many nominations over the course of a six-week period, with the recipients of each category being decided by Council.

“Despite all of the difficulties we faced during 2020, there were so many people in our community who rose to the challenge and achieved incredible things for our city,” Lord Mayor Sandy Verschoor said.

“It is a great privilege to acknowledge members who are contributing to our community by honouring them with such prestigious awards.”

Today (26/01/2021) the City of Adelaide in partnership with the Australia Day Council (SA) awarded Glam Adelaide CEO Kelly Noble and Showcase South Australia CEO Steve Testar the prestigious Community Event of the Year award for the SA4SA Bushfire Appeal Gala.   

The Glam Adelaide Foundation SA4SA Bushfire Appeal Gala fundraising event was held on 31st January 2020 at the Adelaide Convention Centre, after being put into motion only days after bushfires began ravaging the Adelaide Hills in December 2019. Nearly four hundred thousand dollars was raised and donated to South Australian bushfire affected communities. 

Kelly’s business Glam Adelaide is a positive South Australian news website, while Steve’s company Showcase South Australia, focuses on business networking and events. As both organisations strongly support local South Australian business and communities, it was a natural fit for both to refocus their resources to pull together the gala. 

Kelly said “Our team initially focused on running a bushfire social media group to help keep communication channels open for all those impacted or wanting to help, but it became clear that more needed to be done. Glam Adelaide went on to publish over 120 articles focused on bushfire resources, guides to help impacted businesses, and information on fundraising events, but we really wanted to help use our huge South Australian network to really make a difference. The gala was an obvious choice for us.” 

Steve said “Using Showcase SA’s strong business network across South Australia and Glam Adelaide’s large readership, we were able to secure fantastic donations, and work with dozens of generous businesses who were able to supply wine, local produce, event theming, entertainment, auction donations and more, to ensure the success of the event.” 

Supported by of dozens of selfless volunteers, the event rallied South Australians to support those impacted by the bushfires. This resulted in 1400 gala tickets being sold in a single week, making it the largest indoor event of 2020 for South Australia. 

To facilitate the raising of money and to guarantee the money raised was able to stay within South Australia, the Glam Adelaide Foundation was established in early January 2020 to oversee the event. This ensured that of the money raised from the event, $381,340 was provided directly to South Australian families and businesses. 

$279,086 was donated directly to the State Government’s SA Bushfire Appeal. 

In addition to the funds raised by ticket sales and the auction on the night for the SA Bushfire Appeal, $102,254 was also raised by a series of bucket list dinners which were auctioned off, donated by Duncan Welgemoed (Africola) and his fantastic network of inspiring chefs. Funds from the dinners were donated to the Adelaide Hills Wine Region Bushfire Appeal, and two of the hardest hit wineries, Tilbrook Estate and Vinteloper. 

As another extension of their support, free premium listings were provided to SA businesses affected by the bushfires on the I Choose SA business directory, which is run by Showcase SA.  

Steve and Kelly were humbled by the support and generosity shown by South Australians to their fellow South Aussies in need of help. 

KEY SUPPORTERS 

Event committee: Laura Nash, Brylee Foulis, Lisa Richmond, Neely Karimi, Lucy Brewer, Ida Wong, Gabrielle Leonello, Mimi Wong, Adam Rowe, Ping Liew, John McCourt, Filip Odzak, Lettie Thwaites and Michele Lally. 

Platinum Sponsors; Glam Adelaide, Showcase SA, I Choose SA business directory and Adelaide Venue Management 

Gold Sponsor; Blackbird IT 

Silver Sponsors; Scammells Auctioneers & Appraisers and The Online Director 

Media partners; 7 News, Glam Adelaide, Triple M, SAFM and Southern Cross Austereo 

Chefs; Gavin Robertson, Simon Bryant and Paul Baker 

Supporters; Black Squid Design, McCourts, Little Lion PR, Adelaide Expo Hire, PFD Food Services, Out in the Paddock, Bank SA and WP Clinic 

Beverage Sponsors; Beresford, Bickfords, Dunes & Greene, Hentley Farm, Howard Vineyard, Kirrihill Wines, Manyara, Pernod Ricard Winemakers, Seppeltsfield Barossa, Twenty Third Street Distillery, Sparkke, Ubertas Wines and Yalumba 

MORE INFO 

Showcase SA was developed to help South Australian businesses and give them the information and skills to succeed, with the aim to keep money circulating in the local economy to build a strong and supportive environment for businesses to thrive in. Spending money locally supports business, fosters ideas, creates jobs and keeps skilled people local. 

Glam Adelaide was established in 2007, and now receives over 700,000 monthly website sessions, with 500,000 unique visitors. Combined with Glam Adelaide’s strong social media channels (114,000 Facebook followers and 103,000 Instagram followers), it reaches a significant number of South Australians, sharing the best South Australian news, reviews, and information, and has no paywall. 

Showcase SA Media Contacts 

Steve Testar steve@showcasesa.com.au 0409 093 842 

Glam Adelaide Media Contacts 

Kelly Noble kelly@glamadelaide.com.au 0417 706 577