Inclusion chief named top South Australian

Social activist and AFL executive Tanya Hosch has been named the South Australian of the Year. (AAP)

Social activist and AFL executive Tanya Hosch has been named the South Australian of the Year.

Ms Hosch will now become SA's entrant in the 2021 Australian of the Year awards to be announced next year.

In 2016 she became the first Indigenous person and the second woman to be appointed to a senior AFL role when she was named general manager of inclusion and social policy.

The 49-year-old has also held leadership positions in the arts, culture, social justice and public policy.

"One of the pre-eminent Indigenous leaders pursuing constitutional recognition of Australia's First Nations people, Tanya's principled leadership is transforming the AFL, advancing women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, gender-diverse Australians and the entire community," the Australia Day Council said.

"Tanya championed the first Indigenous player statue of Nicky Winmar and instigated a review of anti-vilification policy within the code.

"She helped secure an apology for Adam Goodes from the AFL and delivered a new industry framework to help prevent racist treatment of players."

Ms Hosch also helped found and advocacy organisation The Indigenous Players Alliance.

She drove a new respect and responsibility policy enabling women to seek redress for unacceptable behaviour and a world-first gender diversity policy for a contact sport.

While this year she led a social media campaign aimed at informing and protecting Indigenous communities from COIVID-19.

In other awards announced on Monday, former Port Adelaide football great Russell Ebert was named the SA Local Hero for his work with youth football initiatives and a program to help end domestic violence.

Disability advocate Richard Bruggemann was named the Senior South Australian of the Year and entrepreneur Isobel Marshall SA's Young Australian of the Year.

Australia Day Council chief executive Karlie Brand said all the winners shared a motivation to bring about change which benefited people.

"They are leaders and visionaries making a real difference in people's lives," she said.