Reconciliation SA's 2026 Fundraiser Gala

Thank you for being All In

Thank you to everyone who joined us on Kaurna Yerta for our 5th annual Fundraiser Gala. Your support helps us keep building authentic, meaningful relationships across South Australia.

Did you attend? We'd love to hear about your night. Our short survey takes about 3 minutes, and your feedback will help shape next year's Gala.

Reconciliation SA was proud to present the 5th annual Reconciliation SA Fundraiser Gala at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre Theatre on Kaurna Yerta.

This year’s theme, "Our Path, Our Sound", localised the urgent call of the 2026 National Reconciliation Week theme "All In."

True reconciliation is not a spectator sport, it requires building authentic and meaningful relationships. The national mandate is clear: we must be All In.

With 'Our Path, Our Sound,' we are localising that call. The 'Path' represents our shared responsibility to move forward together through truth-telling, while the 'Sound' demands that we listen to, amplify, and harmonise with First Nations voices in every boardroom, classroom, and community space across the state." 

Celebrating the unique and diverse landscape and culture of South Australia, the 2026 Gala was truly a night to remember.

Gala Highlights

This very special event treated guests to a bespoke menu designed by Daniel Motlop from Something Wild in a collaborative effort with AEC Head Chef Brian Smith. The 7 course tasting menu featured native ingredients and took guests on an immersive journey through 7 Aboriginal Language Groups.

Daniel Motlop also joined us to give a keynote about his inspiration for the menu and the passion behind using native ingredients.

Hosted by Marcellus Enalanga and Gemma Trueman, the night featured live performances, including a dance performance: WAYIN:THI produced by The Mill and music performances from Akala Newman, Rob Edwards, Bousta and more - it was a premier event on the South Australian social calendar.

Thank you to our 2026 Gala talent

Daniel Motlop

Menu designer Daniel Motlop is a former AFL footballer turned influential Indigenous entrepreneur and spirits maker. A proud Larrakia man from Darwin, Daniel played more than 130 AFL games before returning home to champion Australian native ingredients and cultural storytelling.

Through his family business, Something Wild, he has helped lead ethical wild harvesting and supply of native foods across Australia. As founder and Director of Seven Seasons, he transforms traditional knowledge into contemporary spirits that honour the Larrakia calendar.

Daniel is nationally recognised for his commitment to sustainability, cultural integrity, and celebrating Indigenous flavours with authenticity and purpose.

Marcellus Enalanga

MC Marcellus Enalanga is a Western Arrernte, Pitjantjatjara and Warlpiri journalist, TV presenter, and speaker.

Currently the SA Correspondent for NITV News, he hosts the award-winning first nations talk show Mob Talks.

With a background in government youth strategy, Marcellus is the former Deputy Chair of the SA Aboriginal Advisory Council and an international reporter

Gemma Trueman

MC Gemma Trueman is a proud Anangu and Pitjantjatjara woman from South Australia. She works as a presenter, actor, and Indigenous engagement professional with a passion for storytelling.

Gemma supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth in education, advocating for culturally safe spaces.

Her screen credits include Firebite and Australian Wars, and her dance background shapes her confidence as a storyteller.

Akala Newman

Ethereal and Electric. Akala Newman is a Wiradjuri/Gadigal artist creating dark, genre-bending pop that fuses electronic production with language, lineage, and club energy.

Named “one to watch” by Rolling Stone after SXSW Sydney, her work moves between the intimate and the explosive - sensual, powerful, and unapologetically sovereign.

Bousta

Introducing Bousta, a proud Arrernte man coming out of Mparntwe/Alice Springs and currently living and studying in Adelaide.

Bousta is a Hip Hop artist who writes thought-provoking lyrics in English and Arrernte, and shares his traditional language as a powerful tool to inspire Indigenous kids to chase their dreams.

Rob Edwards

Adelaide-based Western Arrernte singer-songwriter Rob Edwards fuses soulful melodies with powerful storytelling, drawing inspiration from mental health, nature, and his family’s Stolen Generations journey. Blending country, folk, and soul, his warm, authentic sound resonates deeply with audiences.

Rob has performed at WOMADelaide and Queenscliff Music Festival, Harvest Rock, Yabaardu and supported artists including Robbie Williams at the Adelaide 500, Christine Anu, Budjerah, and Ash Grunwald.

WAYIN:THI

WAYIN:THI, produced by The Mill, is a First Nations dance theatre ensemble based in South Australia, grounded in culture, self-determination and performance-making.

In Kaurna language, WAYIN:THI means to move or to flow.

Co-led by First Nations artists Caleena Sansbury, a Kaurna, Ngarrindjeri and Narungga woman and Kaine Sultan-Babij, an Arrernte and Gurindji man, WAYIN:THI's work is dedicated to amplifying the voices of South Australian First Nations dance and performance artists.

WAYIN:THI creates greater visibility for powerful cultural storytelling through movement and performance.

Estelle

Estelle is an Eastern Arrernte and Gurindji drag queen, performer and resident diva at Mary’s Poppin. Her practice spans drag, performance and choreography.

Her performance credits include Poppin’ Out, Adelaide Festival, Adelaide Fringe, Perth Festival, WOMADelaide, Adelaide Cabaret Festival, Feast Festival, FabAlice Festival and Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras, alongside performances at numerous community and grassroots events across South Australia. Her screen credits include Top End Bub, where she performed and choreographed for the Logie Award-nominated series.

Her work continues to move between Adelaide’s arts, festival, community and nightlife scenes.