Two South Australians named Senior of the Year after embarrassing awards blunder

Two South Australians have been named Seniors of the Year following an embarrassing mistake in the state’s official Australian of the Year presentation.

Meteorological researcher Malcolm Benoy announced the winner at a ceremony on Friday and went on stage to accept his award, but was told there was a mix-up.

“Hold that thought in your mind for a moment,” the presenter is heard saying over the loud speaker

“There was an argument”

The crowd was told that the wrong winner was in the envelope, and the prize was actually awarded to sound designer James Currie.

But the fiasco continued when National Australia Day Council (NADC) chief executive Mark Fraser came forward and said another embarrassing mix-up had emerged.

“I don’t know what’s going on behind the scenes, but this is false information,” he said.

“I’m Malcolm Benoy. I’m so sorry I was embarrassed.”

The council apologized for the error and announced that it had named Mr Benoy and Mr Currie as joint winners of the award.

An administrative error was blamed for the confusion that led to the meeting results being recorded incorrectly.

“The South Australian selection panel reconvened following the announcement and unanimously agreed that both Mr Currie and Mr Benoy were awarded Senior Australian of the Year for South Australia.

Mr Fraser said Mr Benoy and Mr Currie stood out among the outstanding South Australian Australians of the Year 2026 and he wanted to apologize to both of them for the confusion.

“We believe our error does not diminish their outstanding achievements and contributions to South Australia and the country,” he said.

Mr Currie and Mr Benoy join three other 2026 South Australians, including Australian of the Year Katherine Bennell-Pegg.

Young Australian of the Year Chloe Wyatt-Jasper and South Australia’s Local Hero Ayesha Fariha Safdar.

The National Australian of the Year awards will be held in Canberra on January 25.