Margaret Fischer AM

Co-founder, Feast Adelaide Queer Arts & Cultural Festival

2023 SA Senior Australian of the Year Nominee

Writing and acting in plays was always a regular pastime from a young age for Margaret Fischer AM, who went on to devote her life to South Australia’s LGBTIQ+ communities and the arts.  

In 1997, she co-founded the Feast Adelaide Queer Arts & Cultural Festival, the state’s major not-for-profit queer celebration of pride and diversity.  

The festival has been a constant on Adelaide’s arts calendar in the 25 years since, with Margaret holding a range of positions including board chair for 11 years.   

She’s currently Director of Feast Queer Youth Drop In, a bi-monthly safe social space for LGBTIQ+ young people, and organises Queer Bingo which raises money for the service. 

Youth Drop In has had a significant, positive impact on attendees, some of whom live in awful conditions, are in unsafe relationships and feel unable to be themselves anywhere else.   

Margaret also helps deliver mental health workshops for the queer community.