Note, the below words are straight from the winner announcement by AADC Co-Presidents Sarah Luthaus and Corey Swaffer:

Corey Swaffer: Our choice for the winner of the 2026 Silver Watering Can is a real “people person”. The kind of person who chooses to pick up the phone and have a real conversation, check in to see how you’re doing and make time to meet you in real life.

They must care about saving the planet too, which is why they choose to ride an electric motorbike.

You could say, they seem to be pretty comfortable taking risks. For example riding said electric motorbike in thunder and torrential rain. They call it ‘calculated risks’.

Sarah Luthaus: These traits have been honed over a 20+ year career in the advertising industry.

Here in Adelaide.

Sydney before that.

London before that.

Yes, they chose to move to Australia from the Motherland.

Then they chose to relocate their family to Adelaide, a place they now proudly call home.

They took a leadership role in Adelaide and I’m not sure if this is when they chose to grow a beard. But I’m guessing it was to look older because they have a baby face.

Corey Swaffer: This person has thrived in leadership roles. Building creative partnerships and exceptional client relationships. And since being in Adelaide they’ve continued to lead.

This included being an AADC Co-President, where they led – as they always do – with the utmost integrity.

It was in this time, they chose to introduce one of our most powerful club initiatives. Five years later, they are still choosing to champion it – the AADC Talks.

Sarah Luthaus: Every detail, every moment and every incredible speaker you see and benefit from at this event, as it was yesterday, is the result of a choice from this person. Powerful choices that make all of our careers stronger.

They’re an exceptional human being who we’ve been lucky to call our own since they chose to move here.

Corey Swaffer: In 2024 they chose to become a Partner at Nation. Or Nation might claim they chose them.

Sarah Luthaus: Just as we have done tonight. Yes, I’m sure you’ve guessed it, our choice for the 2026 Watering Can Award is…

Joe Godsell.