Speeches
Thursday, 13 August 2026
Ice Factor Reception
Rod and I, as joint Patrons of Ice Factor Foundation, warmly welcome you to Government House.
To all the students, congratulations!
Being part of the Ice Factor Program is an achievement of which you should be enormously proud. You have overcome challenges and found a way forward.
Before I say more, I congratulate Marie Shaw on being appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in the recent King’s Birthday honours. I look forward to investing her with her award here at Government House next month.
Alongside her distinguished legal career, the award recognises her extraordinary commitment to the Ice Factor Program, and to young people such as yourselves.
For 21 years Marie has put her heart and soul into the program because she believes in the potential of every young person and wants them to succeed.
Ice hockey is a demanding sport. You must move with strength, speed, agility. You make split second decisions. You have to work as a team, have a game plan, and adapt when things don’t go the way you expected.
Sport also teaches you to play fair and respect the rules of the game and respect each other - including your opponents.
These are not just qualities that make good ice hockey players, they are qualities that help build a good life.
Whatever path through life you choose, I hope you will draw on what you have learned through Ice Factor: pride and belief in yourself, to keep going when things become difficult, to lean on others for support.
You have already shown yourselves and others that hard work, commitment, and determination can bring great rewards.
You are already taking these skills and lessons into your wider lives, including at school; and I know that several students graduating this year have gone on to university or trades.
A record number of students are playing ice hockey in local leagues and Ice Factor has had representatives in both state teams and even in an Australian National team in world championships.
I thank everyone who has contributed to the success of the program: the sponsors, donors, schools, and volunteers. They make the program possible and give it strength and longevity.
To the students, I wish you all the best for the future. Rod and I look forward to hearing your stories and the presentation of five awards to those who have demonstrated ice factor values for a long time, both on and off the ice.
We also welcome the new team Valley View Vipers to the program and to Government House alongside those who we are welcoming back.
To you all, rest assyred that you have many people who have faith in you and believe in you - your family, friends, teachers, coaches, Marie Shaw as well as Rod and me.
We are all cheering you on.
Congratulations on all you have achieved so far. We wish you every success and happiness in the future.