Speeches

Friday, 14 August 2026

Opening of the ‘Our Voice, Our Way’ SALA Exhibition at the Foundry, SYC

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I am pleased to be here today for the launch of ‘Our Voice, Our Way’, as part of the 2026 SALA Festival.

Rod and I are pleased to visit The Foundry for the first time this afternoon, and are looking forward to touring the exhibition.

This year marks The Foundry's fifth consecutive year participating in the SALA Festival, and I congratulate you on your ongoing involvement.

SALA is South Australia's largest celebration of living artists, and I am heartened by the way it gives SYC young people the chance to take part alongside thousands of artists across the state, of all ages and backgrounds, both professional and amateur.

‘Our Voice, Our Way’ brings together artwork created by young people engaging right across SYC’s services at The Foundry, through Specialised Residential Care, and through Housing and Justice services.

Creativity and the arts play a vital role in building confidence, connection and a deep sense of belonging – especially when we’re young, working out who we are, and forming our identities.

I’m pleased this exhibition gives young artists a platform to share their perspectives with the wider community in a direct way, without being filtered by adults or any larger systems in which they find themselves.

I am pleased to see the strengths, resilience and potential of these young people reflected in the works before us, which take the form of painting, drawing, digital art and dressmaking.

I welcome the opportunity this exhibition gives artists at the Foundry to contribute to their community and elevate their voices, and I thank them for doing so.

Each piece on display today reflects not only artistic talent, but the courage of a young person willing to share something of themselves with all of us. That is worth celebrating.

It’s also an opportunity for artists to sell their works, or prints of their works. From my viewing of the pieces, I have no doubt they’ll be popular with potential buyers!

Friends,

I thank the Foundry for the important role it plays in the lives of young South Australians as Adelaide's only dedicated youth drop-in hub.

You are a safe and invaluable space where young people can build trusted relationships and access support at their own pace.

Within this space, young people can connect with housing, education, employment and wellbeing services when they are ready to do so.

That young people so often find their own way to The Foundry speaks to the trust they place in this service, and in the relationships they build here.

I congratulate each young artist and The Foundry team on this exhibition, including the resident artists who have supported the young people with their entries.
I thank SYC for continuing to give young people the power of their voice, through SALA and beyond.

I wish The Foundry, and all who engage with it, every success for the year ahead.