Congratulations to the Flinders alumni who were recently announced as winners and finalists in the 2024 SA Premier’s Excellence Awards across the six categories, recognising the diversity of services provided by more than 118,000 employees who comprise the South Australian public sector.
The Awards acknowledge individuals and teams who strive to deliver exceptional outcomes for South Australia, often going unnoticed and unrewarded.
Excellence in Service Delivery – Team
WINNER | Transforming Mental Health Support through Cross-Agency Collaboration: The SIMHS Program
Hospital School SA, Women’s and Children’s Health Network & Department for Education
Hospital School SA Principal Matthew McCurry (BEd(UP/LS) ’03) and his clinical colleagues Tim, Kendall & Tom received this award for their world first Supporting Improved Mental Health in Schools Initiative (SIMHS).
The SIMHS initiative gives children and young people with mental health concerns the chance to remain connected to their education during and after a hospital visit or admission. Developed in partnership with Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services clinicians and the Women’s & Children’s Hospital, it responds to the increasing young people presenting to hospital with complex mental health needs.
The number of students supported each year has more than doubled from 2,100 when the initiative launched in 2022 to over 4,500 in 2024.
Leadership in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion – Individual
WINNER | Mykayla Demarco (GradCertEd(SpecEd) ’19)
Teacher – Inclusive Preschool Program
Solomontown Kindergarten
Mykayla’s dedication to inclusive education at Solomontown Kindergarten has had a profound positive impact on learners with disabilities. Her innovative approach, including the introduction of Acknowledgement of Country through song and integration of Aboriginal art, has resulted in remarkable developmental outcomes for children, particularly those with complex communication needs.
By fostering strong relationships with external providers and collaborating extensively with colleagues across sites, Mykayla has significantly influenced practices and promoted inclusive education within the community.
Mykayla also won a 2024 Public Education Awards – Inclusive Practices in Education Award
Mykayla’s Public Education Awards video can be seen here.
FINALIST | Yvie Eglinton (BSc ’20)
Coordinator, Access for All
Department for Environment and Water
Yvie is passionate about inclusivity and is tireless in her efforts to make our National Parks more accessible for people with a disability. Some of her achievements have included securing funding for e-trikes to help people swap wheelchairs for motorised chairs and explore park trails, and championing disability awareness through training programs.
Excellence in Service Delivery – Individual
FINALIST | Andrew Camilleri (BSc ’97, BSc(Hons) ’98)
Assistant Director Science & Support
Forensic Science SA, Attorney-General’s Department
Andrew founded and leads the South Australian Drug Early Warning System (SADEWS), a critical inter-agency initiative that facilitates the rapid sharing of drug-related intelligence to protect the community and is setting a benchmark for proactive drug monitoring systems nationwide. His work has been instrumental in reducing overdose rates and improving clinical responses.
Driving Innovation – Individual
FINALIST | Natasha Paffett (BHlthSc ’17, MTeach(PrimR-7) ’17)
Science, Mathematics and Whole School Numeracy Leader
Wirreanda Secondary School
With Natasha’s innovative approach to numeracy and mathematics at Wirreanda Secondary School, Natasha identified gaps in number sense among students and introduced a new framework which led to a notable increase in student numeracy. As a numeracy leader Natasha has also influenced teaching improvements across the school. Natasha was the winner of the Innovation in Teaching and Learning Award in the 2024 Public Education Awards.
Natasha’s Public Education Awards video can be seen here.
Building South Australia’s Economy – Individual
FINALIST | Ben Ryan (BCom ’10)
SA Department of Treasury and Finance
Under Ben’s leadership, his team supported the Treasurer to deliver Round 1 of the Economic Recovery Fund which allocated $26.3 million to 17 local businesses, driving innovation and boosting regional tourism infrastructure. The team crafted program documentation, assessment frameworks, governance arrangements and facilitated an efficient and equitable evaluation process. The program supported projects worth more than $200 million
Conecting Communities – Individual
FINALIST | Rose Nyaramba (MTESOL ’22)
EAL/D Hub Coach APY East Schools and Project Officer
Curriculum Policy and Standards, Curriculum and Learning
Rose has been instrumental in supporting early career teachers in the APY lands since 2021, positively impacting both staff and students. She offers continuous guidance, leveraging her own experiences to enhance English as an additional language or dialect (EAL/D) teaching among a cohort with typically little knowledge in this area. Her intensive training and ongoing support in the LEAP program have significantly developed early career teachers’ expertise. Rose’s efforts have influenced bilingual education, fostering collaboration among Aṉangu Educators and early career teaching staff.
Rose was also a Public Education Awards 2024 finalist in the Excellence in the Support of Early Career Teachers Award category.
Rose’s Public Education Awards video can be seen here.
See all the winners and finalists for the 2024 Premier’s Excellence Awards here.