Celebrating SA’s young leaders at the 2026 Young Achiever Awards
South Australia's most inspiring young leaders were recognised on Saturday 30 May at the 2026 7NEWS Young Achiever Awards. Hosted by channel 7 presenter Mark Soderstrom, the evening brought together more than 400 guests at the Hilton Adelaide to recognise the outstanding achievements of young South Australians.
The Department of Human Services (DHS) is a proud sponsor of the Pride Award and the Aboriginal Achievement Award categories. Our sincere congratulations to these category winners.
DHS Aboriginal Achievement Award winner, Kahlia Gibson
Kahlia Gibson is a Kokatha woman with close cultural ties to Narungga and Kaurna, whose extraordinary personal journey has become the foundation of a career dedicated to breaking cycles of disadvantage.
Born while her mother was incarcerated, raised under Guardianship of the Minister and moved between more than 30 placements while in care, and exposed to four generations of family incarceration, Kahlia now serves as Team Leader of Aboriginal Offender Management and Rehabilitation at the Department for Correctional Services, championing culturally informed rehabilitation pathways for Aboriginal people.
She is a former Chairperson and Director of Kokatha Aboriginal Corporation, a member of the South Australian Aboriginal Heritage Committee, and an elected First Nations Voice to Parliament member. Without having completed high school, she studied a Bachelor of Psychology, and today raises her own children as a sole parent while building an influential career in corrections, governance and community advocacy.
DHS Pride Award winner, Lou Potter
Lou Potter is the first transgender President of United Nations Youth South Australia, a KPMG senior consultant, board member of YACSA, and SACOSS Policy Council member.
She has created inclusive spaces for young people since establishing a Dungeons and Dragons club at Brocas Youth Centre in 2016. As UNYSA President in 2022, she integrated programs with the SA Certificate of Education (SACE) and developed the 2022-2024 Strategic Plan to rebuild from COVID.
Lou has contributed to reviews and policy development for the NDIS and national and state health systems, and has spoken at Parliament House for a SS4C rally, the 2024 SACOSS State Budget Breakfast, and at Newday Leadership Summits.
Congratulations to overall Young Achiever, Bailee Phillips
DHS extends special congratulations to Bailee Phillips, winner of the 2026 South Australia Young Achiever of the Year. Her achievement is a wonderful reflection of the talent and drive shown by this year's exceptional finalists.
All 2026 Category Winners
DHS congratulates all this year’s category winners for their outstanding contributions:
- Edward Robinson - Adelaide University STEM Award
- Lou Potter - Department of Human Services Pride Award
- Kahlia Gibson - Department of Human Services Aboriginal Achievement Award
- Bailee Phillips - University Senior College Create Change Award
- Amelia Griffin - Sweat Female Tech Entrepreneur Award
- Hugo Taheny - Aceit Transport Solutions Sports in the Community Award
- Suriya Down - Credit Union SA Education Award
- Madeleine Perrett - Websters Lawyers Achievement in Law Award
- Eloise Hall - Konica Minolta Career Achievement Award
- Cooper Mann - South Australian Skills Commission Outstanding Apprentice Awar
- Charlee Watt - Carclew Creative Achievement Award.
Learn more about all the SA category winners.
About the awards
Established in 1988, the Young Achiever Awards acknowledge, encourage and promote the positive achievements of young people in South Australia aged 30 and under.