SA Australians of the Year named as outgoing winner wants space travel 'reframed'

Iranian-Australian gynaecologist Dr Fariba Behnia-Willison has been named SA's Australian of the Year for 2027.

The outgoing Australian of the Year Katherine Bennell-Pegg also made a speech, saying the apparent choice between space and cost of living is "one we need to reframe"

A violence prevention advocate, a palliative medicine specialist and a space educator were among this year's South Australian recipients.

An endo-gynaecologist specialising in pelvic floor treatments has been named the South Australia's 2027 Australian of the Year in a ceremony where the former recipient doubled down on her wish to secure a spot on a future space mission.

At a Thursday night event in Adelaide, Iranian-Australian surgeon Dr Fariba Behnia-Willison was recognised for helping develop a safer method of pelvic floor reconstruction and for her advocacy in restoring dignity for women seeking healthcare.

The doctor also founded not-for-profit Desert Flower Australia, which offers no-cost restorative surgery to female genital mutilation survivors.

Dr Behnia-Willison said her upbringing informed her career aspirations.

"You may think what I have told you here is Iran's problem, but let me tell you I've lived on three different continents, and everywhere I noticed that women were denied freedom in different ways.

"Me wanting to be a voice for the women made me a surgeon."

Among this year's recipients are palliative medicine specialist Dr Roger Hunt, who was awarded SA's Senior Australian of the Year, 23-year-old space educator Edward Robinson named the state's next Young Australian of the Year, and violence prevention advocate Neil Davis, who was given the Local Hero award.

Ms Bennell-Pegg, who was honoured in 2026, congratulated the recipients and said her own accolade led to "conversations that would not have been possible without being Australian of the Year".

Last month, the federal government made an undisclosed financial offer to the European Space Agency to send Ms Bennell-Pegg to space, a mission expected to cost around $100 million which the SA government would also contribute to.

Ms Bennell-Pegg said space travel was an economic opportunity rather than a cost.

"It's one we need to reframe, because if we shy away, we not only miss out on opportunities but increase our vulnerabilities.

"In fact, by making our economy more resilient and more productive, space helps reduce our cost of living."

The Australian Space Agency space technology director said "no dream should be too big for the Australian psyche".

"Sometimes a bold national endeavour can help catalyse that shift, something that captures the imagination, spans sectors, brings people together and gives Australians a sense of ownership in what we're achieving," she said.