Passing Of Stevie Goldsmith


The South Australian community was saddened by the sudden passing in July of a much-loved community leader and cultural educator – Stephen Goldsmith.

Uncle Stevie was a proud Narungga and Kaurna man, an inspiration and friend to many. He was an important part of the revival of the Kaurna language through his work at the Kaurna Warra Pintyanthi (KWP) language unit at the University of Adelaide. He was an influential advisor at the Museum of South Australia and Art Gallery of South Australia.

Uncle Stevie performed traditional dance with his Taikurtinna (“family”) dance group and played yidaki and delivered Welcomes to Country at countless events, including several Womads both in Adelaide and overseas. Through this work he helped ensure that culture was remembered, respected and represented. He was a well-known face due to his long career as an actor in advertising campaigns, TV and theatre, most recently in a widely admired performance in the Adelaide Festival production of The Secret River.

Stephen Goldsmith was awarded Male Elder of the Year for 2017 at the Lord Mayor’s NAIDOC Awards, and the Premier acknowledged his contribution at the Premier’s 2017 NAIDOC Awards.

On his passing, tributes flowed in from South Australia, Australia and around the world. His beloved Crows paid public tribute to him and wore black armbands at the Showdown in August

Uncle Stevie will be remembered as a charismatic man who, through his warmth and disarming honesty was able to tear down bridges to make a huge personal contribution to strengthening culture and to reconciliation.

SANTS acknowledges that the land on which our office is based is the traditional lands for the Kaurna people and we respect their spiritual and cultural relationship with their country.