Uni of Adelaide student named Young Australian of the Year

The University of Adelaide congratulates social entrepreneur and University of Adelaide medical student Isobel Marshall for being named Young Australian of the Year for 2021.

At the age of just 18, Isobel, with business partner Eloise Hall, co-founded the social enterprise TABOO, which targets one of the most universal taboo subjects head on – menstruation.

TABOO sells high quality organic cotton pads and tampons to an Australian market, and donates 100% of its net profit to sustainable projects that support sanitary health and education, including in Sierra Leone and Uganda.

Locally TABOO has partnered with Vinnies Women’s Crisis centre providing free access to pads and tampons for women who require emergency accommodation in SA, and also working with Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Women’s Council to support women in remote Indigenous communities. TABOO is a member of the University's business incubator, ThincLab.

Professor Mike Brooks, Interim Vice-Chancellor of the University of Adelaide, says: “We are incredibly proud of Isobel and her achievements.

“Isobel’s dedication to others and to this important social issue, particularly from such a young age, is inspirational. She is an outstanding recipient of the title Young Australian of the Year, and we look forward to seeing what else she achieves throughout her career.

“This recognition of Isobel’s achievements speaks to the ongoing impact that our students, graduates and staff have on communities around the world,” Professor Brooks says.

Australia Day 2021 Honours

Other members of the University of Adelaide community are among the Australians recognised in this year’s Australia Day honours.

Former Premier of South Australia and a University of Adelaide law and economics graduate, the Honourable Jay Weatherill, AO, has become an Officer in the General Division of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to the people and Parliament of South Australia, particularly as Premier, and to early childhood and tertiary education.

Those who have been made Members of the General Division of the Order of Australia (AM) include:

Emeritus Professor Wilfrid Prest, AM (Adelaide Law School) for significant service to tertiary education, and to the law and legal history;

Emeritus Professor Wayne Sampson, AM (Adelaide Dental School) for significant service to dental education in the field of orthodontics;

Associate Professor Michael Penniment, AM (Clinical Associate Professor in Medical Specialties) for significant service to medicine, and to radiation oncology;

Dr John Crompton, RFD, AM (Clinical Professor in Surgical Specialities) for significant service to ophthalmology, and to the community of the Asia-Pacific region;

Dr Roy Scragg, OBE, AM (Honorary Doctor of the University and graduate) for significant service to medicine, to epidemiology, and to professional medical associations;

Emeritus Professor Ronald McEvoy, AM (Affiliate Professor in Medical Sciences) for significant service to medical research, particularly to respiratory and sleep health;

The Honourable Trish White, AM (Honorary Doctor of the University and recently retired Chair of the Engineering, Computer and Mathematical Sciences Faculty Advisory Board) for significant service to engineering, and to the people and Parliament of South Australia;

Professor Lester Rigney, AM (former Dean, Indigenous Education) for significant service to Indigenous education, and to social inclusion research.

Those who have been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) include former staff members:

Mr David Coluccio (Campus Retail Services, Adelaide University Union and Unibooks) for service to people living with cystic fibrosis, and to the community;

Mrs Christine Halbert (Elder Conservatorium of Music) for service to the history of Australian rules football, and to music;

Mr David Hamilton (former Clinical Lecturer in Surgery) for service to medicine, and to professional associations.

“My warmest congratulations to all these recipients of Australia Day Honours as well as all our alumni and other friends of the University who have been recognised,” says Professor Brooks. “They have served their communities with distinction, and we are very proud they are part of the University of Adelaide community.”

View the full list of alumni who received Australia Day Honours.