Speeches
Friday, 29 May 2026
Launch of the ‘My Art, My SA’ Hospital School SA Exhibition
I am pleased to join you this evening to officially launch 'My Art, My SA: Every Brush Stroke Tells a South Australian Story'.
Rod and I had the pleasure of visiting the Hospital School at the Women's and Children's Hospital last year, meeting students and teachers and seeing their dynamic school in action.
Testament to their creativity, a number of students greeted us wearing colourful crowns they had made out of cardboard and other craft materials, in honour of the Governor’s vice-regal role.
During our visit we also received a delightful book of drawings and writing from the students, a selection of which we shared on my Instagram and Facebook pages.
Today, we see the students' full creative talent on display, with more than 200 artworks in this exhibition.
That’s more than double the number of artworks in last year’s inaugural exhibition – an outstanding achievement.
I congratulate each and every student on their entries this year.
I received a tour of the artworks a little earlier this evening, and I was very impressed by what I saw.
This year's exhibition theme, ‘Locations and maps’, is a powerful one through which young people can express identity, place, imagination, and a deep connection to South Australia.
A map is never simply a record of geography; it is a record of what a person notices, what they value, and where they feel they belong.
I congratulate all students on your entries and the imaginative ways in which you explore the theme.
Challenges in your life have brought you to the Hospital School – whether that’s for days, months or even years.
I hope that the process of making art has given you the opportunity to express your thoughts, your feelings, and also to have some fun.
I thank all Hospital School staff who supported students to create their artworks and who played a role in organising this exhibition.
I understand you all have at least one piece of artwork on display this evening, as well.
For some of you, this would have been an enjoyable process. For others, a bit more daunting.
Fortunately, we live in an age with lots of useful digital tools, and I trust these were helpful if needed!
I also thank Credit Union SA for partnering with Hospital School SA to host this exhibition for the second time.
Your generosity enables students to be part of something bigger, sharing their work with their peers, their families, and the wider community.
Last year’s exhibition was so popular I am told that when Credit Union staff tried to take the artwork down after the designated time frame, workers and visitors asked repeatedly for it to be put back up.
I’m confident this year’s exhibition will be met with a similar response.
Students,
During my tour I noticed a vibrant artwork of colourful fish, swimming in the ocean.
A ‘school of fish’, if you will!
On the artwork it read, “We may be different, but in this school we all swim together.”
Thank you for coming together to share your diverse art, your stories, and your South Australia with us.
I wish the Hospital School community all the best for the future, and I look forward to seeing where your creativity takes you next.