Southern Crossings 2027 Awards Gala
An Evening Honouring South Africans Advancing Australia
A national awards evening and Hollywood-themed black-tie gala dinner recognising the achievements of South African business leaders and companies in Australia.
Premier. National. Always Advancing Australia.
Date
Thursday, 8 April 2027
Arrival
6:00pm arrival, 6:30pm start
Theme
Hollywood Black Tie
The evening
The flagship event of Southern Crossings.
The Southern Crossings 2027 Awards Gala will bring together 300 business leaders, executives, entrepreneurs and professionals for an evening celebrating South African achievement and contribution to Australia.
Guests arrive from 6:00pm for the reception, with the evening running from 6:30pm to approximately 11:00pm. Banquet-style seating, a three-course dinner and drinks at Crown Sydney.
- Guests
- 300
- Standard tables of 10
- 23
- Patron & VIP tables of 8
- 8
The table mix above is the planned seating configuration for the evening, not the total venue capacity.
Connect
Bring patrons, sponsors, members and emerging leaders together through one of Southern Crossings' premier national events.
Celebrate
Honour exceptional South African achievement and the contribution South Africans are making to Australia.
Advance
Share stories, build relationships and inspire the next generation of South African leaders in Australia.
About Southern Crossings
Southern Crossings is Australia's premier business network for South Africans and those connected to the South African business community.
Visit the Southern Crossings websiteThe venue
Pearl Ballroom, Crown Sydney
A premium waterfront setting at Barangaroo, with banquet-style seating for 300 guests beneath the ballroom's signature chandeliers.
Connect. Celebrate. Advance.
Awards
Celebrating excellence across business, leadership and impact.
Recognising outstanding South Africans and South African-founded businesses contributing to Australia's success across business, leadership, investment and community impact. Nominations will open on or around 1 October 2026.
01
Executive of the Year
For an outstanding C-suite leader driving performance and culture at scale.
02
Entrepreneur of the Year
For a founder building an ambitious, growing business in Australia.
03
Emerging Leader of the Year
Under-40 leader on a clear trajectory to shape their industry.
04
Customer Experience Award
For redefining how customers experience a brand, product or service.
05
Advance Australia Award
Recognising exceptional social impact and contribution to Australian society.
06
Deal of the Year
Standout M&A transaction or capital raise led or advised by the community.
07
Fund Manager of the Year
Investment excellence and stewardship across the year.
08
Adviser of the Year
For distinguished professional advisory work: legal, financial or strategic.
09
Hall of Fame: Lifetime Achievement
Recognising a career of sustained achievement, leadership and contribution to Australia.
The Gift of Life
Success that gives back.
At Southern Crossings we are a purpose driven business, so recognition at the 2027 Awards Gala is about more than celebrating achievement. It is about extending each award recipient's success to create meaningful impact.
The Gift of Life is our name for that giving. Through it, the achievements of our honourees will reach beyond the awards stage, extending to the Humpty Dumpty Foundation.
Join us as we celebrate South Africans advancing Australia and recognise success that gives back.
The Gift of Life
For every award presented at the 2027 Gala, Southern Crossings will give on behalf of the recipient through The Gift of Life, supporting the Humpty Dumpty Foundation, which provides essential and often lifesaving medical equipment for sick children in hospitals across Australia.
Proudly Supporting
Independent judging panel
Judged by leaders who've built the room.
Every nomination is assessed by an independent panel of senior business leaders. More judges will be announced soon.
Brad Banducci
Confirmed
Former Chief Executive Officer of Woolworths Group, one of Australia's largest employers and retailers.
LinkedIn profile
Mark Stanbridge
Confirmed
Senior corporate lawyer and long-standing adviser to boards on major Australian transactions.
LinkedIn profile
Giam Swiegers
Confirmed
Former Chief Executive Officer of Deloitte Australia and of Aurecon, and a long-standing voice on leadership in Australian business.
LinkedIn profile
Margaret Dreyer
Confirmed
Experienced company director and senior finance leader, with a long record of governance and advisory work in Australian business.
LinkedIn profile
Jane Watts
Confirmed
Non-Executive Director with 30 years' experience in banking and financial services, including senior roles at Westpac, Macquarie and Lendlease, and current board roles with Liberty Financial Group and Qoria.
LinkedIn profileThe programme
One extraordinary evening.
An evening of dining, recognition and connection, designed to feel every bit as elevated as the achievements it celebrates.
- 1
6:00pm
Reception
Guests arrive at Crown Sydney for the opening reception.
- 2
6:30pm
Awards Gala commences
A three-course dinner, awards presentations, keynote address and an evening of connection and celebration.
- 3
11:00pm
Evening concludes
The evening is expected to conclude around 11:00pm.
- Three-course Gala Dinner
- Awards Presentations
- Keynote Address: to be announced
- Networking and celebration
Further programme details will be announced closer to the event. The evening is expected to conclude around 11:00pm.
Sponsors & partners
Stand alongside Australia's leading South African business community.
Partner with Southern Crossings and connect your brand with 300 senior executives, entrepreneurs, business owners and corporate leaders at our flagship national event.
Diamond Partner
Only 1 available
Gold Partners
Only 3 available
Category Sponsors
Only 9 available
Interested in supporting the Gala?
Partnership packages are tailored to your goals. Contact Tanya on tanya@southerncrossings.org.au, or request the full prospectus for details.
Secure your place
Book your seats at the Southern Crossings 2027 Awards Gala.
Seats and tables are on sale now. Choose an option below, pay securely online and your place is confirmed straight away. All prices are excluding GST.
Individual Seat
$275ex GST
- One seat at a shared table
- Three-course dinner
- Drinks
Table of 10
$2,500ex GST
- Reserved standard table of 10
- Three-course dinner
- Drinks
VIP Individual Seat
$600ex GST
- One seat at a VIP table
- Priority placement
- Three-course dinner and drinks
VIP Table of 8
$4,500ex GST
- Reserved VIP table of 8
- Prime placement in the room
- Three-course dinner and drinks
Sponsorship
On request
- Diamond, Gold and Category Sponsors
- Branding and recognition
- Table allocation included
Book now and pay securely online
Seats and tables are available today. Complete your booking online and you will receive an emailed confirmation with your booking reference. If you book a table, we will contact you closer to the event to collect your guest names.
Frequently asked