Speeches
Thursday, 16 April 2026
Education Cooperative Dialogue: South Australia – Shandong Province
I’m pleased to join you today as we launch a new chapter in our longstanding and productive sister-state relationship.
As a former Australian Ambassador to China and now as Governor of South Australia, I have a great belief in the capacity of education to forge productive ties between our two regions.
I have a pleasure to have just witnessed an MOU signing between Flinders and Shandong universities and now to be with you as we announce the South Australia Shandong Schools Collaboration Program.
These two initiatives capture so perfectly the broad impact of education on generations of learners.
Education is a powerful connector.
It brings people together not only within our own communities but across continents.
Education spans every stage of life, offering diverse pathways through school, vocational education, tertiary education and as alumni.
Education is the foundation upon which people can realise their dreams, help their communities to flourish, and forge enduring bonds between regions and nations.
Supporting young people to have access to a high quality and innovative education is a priority for South Australia and Shandong.
It is the reason our regions have prioritised multi-tiered international education cooperation over many years.
Sister-state relationships have long provided opportunities for meaningful engagement and mutual growth.
International sister school partnerships are a shining example of this, laying a foundation for young people to learn with and from each other, and fostering intercultural understanding and global vision.
These partnerships provide opportunities for young minds to explore new perspectives, to connect and communicate, to build friendships, to develop an understanding and respect for cultures different from their own.
Over time, these connections change lives, broadening horizons for students, educators, and broader school communities alike.
Today, we acknowledge a milestone: a commitment to a robust program of student exchange over the next three years.
South Australian school students will have the privilege of travelling to Shandong Province, engaging face-to-face with their peers on issues of shared interest, concern, and opportunity.
They will practise speaking languages other than their own, develop self-confidence, and, most importantly, gain the empathy and adaptability that is so essential for young people engaging in an interconnected and fast-changing world.
But this is not a journey our students will make alone.
The program also brings together educators in a meaningful dialogue where they will exchange knowledge and best practice.
This will ensure that learning is truly reciprocal, dynamic, and deeply impactful.
These school educator dialogues are the frameworks from which wider collaborations will grow in areas such as science, technology, the arts, and vocational learning.
The dialogues create opportunities for innovation, for sharing expertise, and for offering professional learning experiences.
The Schools Collaboration Program reflects our shared priorities – ensuring students and school communities from both South Australia and Shandong are equipped to live, learn, and work as globally capable citizens.
It aligns with the priorities of China’s National Education Plan, as well as South Australia’s strategy for public education and commitments to excellence, equity, and opportunity.
I would like to warmly congratulate all those involved in the first student exchange occurring later this year — Plympton International College from Adelaide and Jinan No. 3 High School.
To the Plympton International College and Jinan No. 3 students joining us here and online today, you are demonstrating leadership, courage and curiosity and setting a great example to your classmates by taking part.
Through this new Schools Collaboration Program, South Australia has the opportunity to deepen our enduring relationship with Shandong, to create lasting benefits for students, educators, and entire communities, and to reaffirm our belief in the transformative power of education.
I encourage the students to truly engage and share your learnings with your friends and school communities so they too can benefit from your experience.