Speeches
Saturday, 30 October 2021
Cara Celebrates Gala Dinner
It is with great pleasure that Rod and I are with you this evening for Cara’s Recognition of Excellence Awards and to officially open this event.
I am also very pleased to accept patronage of Cara, carrying on the work of my distinguished predecessor, the Hon. Hieu Van Le.
While my career as a diplomat took me away from Adelaide for many years, it was always my desire to return one day and serve the people of this State.
I have always held dear South Australia’s welcoming and inclusive community, where importance is placed on helping everyone to reach their potential.
Cara has been working with children and adults with disabilities for 26 years – and many years before that, as the Spastic Centres of South Australia.
In this time the disability landscape has changed significantly and Cara has been an enormous part of that change.
We have seen the closure of institutions as people with disabilities moved out into the community.
Not only has it been a change for the better for individuals, it’s been a change for the better for the entire South Australian community.
Organisations like Cara have been vital to facilitating this change.
At the heart of Cara is its people – the Board, supporters and more than 1000 staff.
I congratulate all employees who have been selected as finalists in this year’s awards.
Your work is so very important - it means people with disability are valued for who they are, and as members of the local community.
I know it has been a difficult time for disability and aged care services around the nation.
You are not alone in needing more colleagues to join you.
I know many of you have cancelled leave, worked extra shifts and found creative solutions to ensure Cara’s customers are well supported.
This has not gone unnoticed.
I know many staff behind the scenes have been working hard to overcome these challenges; to match the right staff within the right teams for the right customers.
Thank you also to everyone who has committed to getting vaccinated against COVID-19 and keeping yourselves, your family and friends, Cara customers and the wider community safe.
Thank you all for your commitment, your compassion, your empathy and your energy.
Cara has an extremely bright future and I look forward to lending my support.
I look forward to the announcement of award winners a little later this evening.
Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC
GOVERNOR OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA