Speeches
Wednesday, 01 April 2026
Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia – South Australia Reception
I am pleased, as Patron, to welcome you to Government House, and to recognise the seven new Fellows who have made a significant and sustained contribution to public works in South Australia.
I was delighted to accept your invitation to become Patron in only October last year.
It was an easy decision to make in support of your mission of advancing public infrastructure because of the fundamental role public infrastructure plays in the life of our state: economically, socially, politically, and for us as individuals.
It affects every one of us. It sometimes determines the fate of governments, and it is invariably a major component of their financial outlays, with all the challenges and scrutiny this entails.
It affects the amenity of our daily lives. It is omnipresent, if often taken for granted.
It is of course a challenge for metropolitan areas, but perhaps even more so for regional areas, especially in a state like ours with such a concentrated metropolitan population and relatively small regional centres.
The pride that organisations and local governments have in their assets and urban planning has been evident in my numerous visits as Governor to metropolitan and regional areas.
I have previously met some of you during these visits and I thank you for the insights you have given me and your evident pride in the work that creates vibrant communities.
I am particularly thinking here of places such as the Barossa Council’s Barossa Park Development for Gather Round which won an IPWA excellence award, or places where we can learn and share perspectives such as at Yitpi Yartapuultiku, the Aboriginal Cultural Centre at Port Adelaide.
Your work, the work of engineers and related professions, is ever more important as we grapple with the current challenges of expanding urban development and growth.
I encourage those in the industry to continue to be ever mindful that what is built is not only functional, but is planned well from inception, that it enhances the environment in which it exists and is the result of collaboration across professions.
I know that currently, the industry is facing challenges such as workforce shortages, ageing infrastructure, rapid technological change, and climate pressures.
But through co-operation, co-ordination, leadership and the training our young people, much can be achieved.
During our school visits, Rod and I have been impressed with the contributions that young people are making to their communities and their ideas on how they can give back.
We have been encouraging them to seriously consider choosing a STEM career as our state’s opportunities in defence and construction present them with many career opportunities
To illustrate the need, I point out that even if every student in the class qualified to be engineers, there still wouldn’t be enough!
I have every hope they will take up the challenge.
Friends
I thank the IPWEA SA for supporting our public works and infrastructure professions for the past 67 years, building on the work undertaken nationally for 120 years.
I commend your work in professional development, technical leadership, and sector advocacy.
The strength of any organisation rests with its members being active contributors. While the work of the members, Fellows and Emeritus Fellows often occurs behind the scenes, it is felt by us all.
Your collective knowledge and experience are invaluable assets for the next generation, students, and early-career professionals to draw upon.
I congratulate the new fellows to whom I will present certificates shortly, and I wish the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia – South Australia well for the future.
May you continue to champion infrastructure that is resilient, inclusive, and future-focused.