Speeches
Monday, 01 June 2026
Morning Tea for Can:Do 4Kids Families and Supporters
As joint patrons of Can:Do 4Kids, it’s a great pleasure for Rod and I to warmly welcome you all to Government House.
Can:Do 4 Kids, and the broader Can:Do Group through its predecessor Townsend House Incorporated, has served South Australian families for more than 150 years.
That’s a remarkable legacy of dedication to children who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, have low vision or are experiencing developmental challenges.
As Governor it’s been my privilege to engage with the Can:Do group during my term, including celebrating your 150th anniversary here at Government House in 2024.
Today we gather to celebrate Can:Do’s Listening and Spoken Language Program, which I note is the oldest service of its kind in Australia.
This program supports children born deaf or hard of hearing to develop the communication skills, confidence and independence to engage fully with the world around them.
Rod and I are heartened by the achievements of the children present today who have benefited greatly from the program.
We look forward to hearing four Can:Do students share their stories with us this morning.
To these young people: we recognise the dedication and perseverance in every step of your journeys – journeys which last for many years.
We congratulate you on all of your hard work to build your listening and speaking capabilities.
Rod and I are very proud of your achievements.
We thank Can:Do staff, whose specialist expertise guides every family forward with patience and skill.
As parents and guardians, so much of your child’s learning comes down to you.
Once a week, Listening and Spoken Language Specialists coach you on how to integrate listening skills into everyday life, and then it’s up to you: building learning into routines like bath time, meal time and play time, followed by more structured activities as your child grows older.
You help your child to follow complex instructions so they can play sport with their peers.
You work on listening to specific sounds in words, so your child learns to read alongside their classmates.
And you teach your child to produce specific sounds, so their speech can be clearly understood by friends, family, and teachers.
This is a huge undertaking on the part of families, and I thank you for your deep commitment to your children’s development.
Your partnership with Can:Do 4 Kids is at the very heart of what makes this program so effective and enduring.
Rod I also thank the donors and supporters whose financial commitment makes it possible for Can:Do to offer life-changing services to South Australian families.
Your generosity is greatly appreciated.
Friends,
Every South Australian child should have the opportunity to reach their potential.
We wish Can:Do 4Kids all the best as it continues to support children with hearing, vision, and other development needs to thrive and to live full, connected lives.