An embarrassing mistake occurred at the renowned Australian of the Year awards in South Australia, where the wrong winner was announced not once, but twice.

During the ceremony, the individual announced as the 2026 Senior South Australian of the Year received the award and approached the stage, only to learn moments later that an error had been made.

Adding to the confusion, the newly declared winner faced a similar situation, being informed that another mistake had occurred.

Initially, Malcolm Benoy was announced as the recipient of the honor during the event.

However, as the weather scientist made his way to the stage, he was abruptly halted due to what was described as a “controversy.”

“The wrong winner was in the envelope and we do apologise for that,” one of the hosts said.

There was a sea of stunned faces as a new winner was declared.

“The 2026 Senior Australian of the Year is in fact … James Curry,” they said.

But what followed next was even more confusing, the National Australia Day Council chief executive Mark Fraser suddenly taking to the stage.

“We had it right all the way along, I don’t know what has transpired behind the scenes, but it’s incorrect information,” Fraser said.

“It is Malcolm Benoy, I’m terribly sorry for the embarrassment.”

Despite the gaffe, Benoy was in good spirits when he accepted the award for the second time.

History-making astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg was crowned 2026 South Australia’s Australian of the Year.

She is the first in the nation to qualify as an astronaut under Australia’s space program.