Bungle on stage accidentally stripped 2026 South Australian Senior of the Year of award

Australian Community Media

Citizen scientist Malcolm Benoy was announced as the winner of the award, before the presenters then announced sound designer James Currie as the winner. Moments later, the hosts revoked their error and returned the award to Malcolm Benoy.

Transcript

00:00All right, it is now time to announce the recipient of this very prestigious award,

00:05the 2026 Senior South Australian of the Year for South Australia is Malcolm Benoy.

00:12Congratulations, Malcolm.

00:30The judges are conferring for a second.

00:57Just hold that thought for just a moment.

01:00There's been a controversy.

01:03Is this like the Oscars?

01:04It is a little bit like the Oscars.

01:11Wait to see what the authorities tell us should happen on this moment.

01:16A bungle on stage at the 2026 South Australian of the Year led to the rightful winner of the Senior

01:22Australian of the Year award being strict of the honour before it was restored only moments

01:27later.

01:28Citizen scientist Malcolm Benoy was announced as the winner of the award before the presenters

01:33then announced sound designer James Currie as the winner.

01:37I'm sorry we have to make an apology and particularly to you Malcolm Benoy.

01:41the wrong winner was in the envelope and we do apologise for that.

01:47A lot of amazing work that Malcolm has done.

01:50There is no doubt about that but we can announce that the 2026

01:54a Senior Australian of the Year is in fact

02:00James.

02:01Is it James?

02:01It is James.

02:02James Currie.

02:03James Currie.

02:04Congratulations James and we apologise to Malcolm for that that mispronunciation.

02:20A round of applause for Malcolm.

02:38Just hold.

02:39We need to hold for a second.

02:41It's a bit like a quiz show when it needs to go upstairs.

02:44Okay.

02:45All right.

02:46We're moving along as we hear this now.

02:48Apparently, it's our notes that are incorrect.

02:52And we will...

02:52Let's scrub the last five minutes.

02:55Let's start all of it again.

02:56Let's open the card again and announce that the 2026 Senior Australian of the Year for

03:05South Australia is Mac Benoit.

03:09It is.

03:10Okay.

03:12That's a rollercoaster, everyone.

03:14Let's do that all again.

03:15Ladies and gentlemen, please excuse us for a few moments.

03:20My name's Mark Fraser.

03:21I'm the CEO of the National Australia Day Council based in Canberra.

03:25That is just a miscommunication.

03:27We had it right all the way along.

03:29I don't know what has transpired behind the scenes, but it's incorrect information.

03:33The trophy is correct.

03:34The press release is correct.

03:36It is Malcolm Benoit.

03:36I'm terribly sorry for the embarrassment.

03:38Thank you very much.

03:40Well done, Malcolm.

03:44An extra round of applause for Malcolm.

03:46That was a real journey he went on there.

03:48Woo!

03:57Let's get back to the celebration.

03:59Well, Malcolm.

04:00Oh, my goodness.

04:01That was...

04:02Well, wasn't it?

04:02Can I make a comment?

04:04Yes.

04:05I'm glad there's a doctor in the house.

04:06In fact, there's several, thank goodness.

04:11Is there that much stress involved in meteorology normally?

04:15Sorry?

04:15Is there that much stress in meteorology normally?

04:18I cannot say anything about meteorology because I'm not a meteorologist.

04:22I've only worked at the Weather Bureau as a volunteer for 20 years, but I can't speak for you.

04:26I'll see you next time.

04:27I'll see you next time.

04:46Bye!

04:51Okay.

Category

Transcript

Be the first to comment

Recommended