Paving the Way: Helen Bock Enters the South Australian Pride Hall of Fame
- Pride Adelaide
- May 21
- 2 min read
Updated: May 21
Pride Adelaide is honoured to name Helen Bock as the first inductee into the 2025 South Australian Pride Hall of Fame, a tribute to her lifelong commitment to advocacy, visibility, and community-building across South Australia’s LGBTQIA+ landscape.
A cultural architect, activist, and fierce community advocate, Helen’s journey began during the radical momentum of the 1970s lesbian feminist movement. She stood tall at a time when visibility was protest, helping shape spaces where women could gather, organise, and celebrate their identity.
Best known as a co-founder of the Feast Festival, Helen helped launch what would become South Australia’s premier LGBTQIA+ cultural celebration — a bold and unapologetic platform for queer voices to shine.
Her contributions didn’t stop there. Helen also played a vital role in the community’s HIV/AIDS response, supporting fundraisers and events that brought awareness, resources, and compassion during a time of great stigma and isolation.
“As an out and proud Lesbian all my adult life, recognition of caring for and sharing with my community is humbling.” – Helen Bock
From Women’s Theatre and The Sweethearts of Swing to The Fabulous Semaphore Guitar, Helen’s creative legacy runs deep.
“Music and the Arts are one of the best ways to bring us together,” she said. “It has always been important to me to stand up and be counted, and to provide opportunities for our community to come together, connect and celebrate.”
“Helen is one of the foundational figures of our movement in South Australia,” said Dave Newman, Chair of Pride Adelaide. “She has never chased recognition, but her work has created it for others.”
Helen will be formally inducted by Lucy Hood MP at the 2025 South Australian Pride Gala on Friday 27 June at the Adelaide Festival Centre — marking 50 years since South Australia became the first Australian state to decriminalise homosexuality.