Speeches

Wednesday, 12 November 2025

Patronage Garden Party

Welcome to Government House for this year’s Patronage Garden Party.

Rod and I look forward to this reception each year.

However you represent your organisation – as an office bearer, board member, staff member, volunteer, generous supporter, or some combination of these – it’s our pleasure to host you.

Friends

February this year marked the 50th anniversary of the Australian Honours system, which includes the Order of Australia awards.

I have the great pleasure of being patron of the Order of Australia Association SA Branch, whose members are some of the thousands of South Australians recognised for their outstanding service to our community, this past half century.

In recognition of this 50th anniversary, Rod and I asked that our patronage organisations seek to invite members who had been recognised in the Order of Australia, and we are delighted to see so many of you here today.

We are also pleased to welcome representatives of our new patronages for 2025:

  • the Art Gallery of South Australia
  • Community Bridging Services
  • Royal Association of Justices of South Australia
  • The Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia – South Australia
  • City-Bay Fun Run
  • Achilles Adelaide
  • The South Australian Museum Foundation
  • The Kathleen Lumley Foundation Inc; and
  • Can:Do 4 Kids.

I hope you will enjoy being part of the patronage cohort and getting to know some of its other members here today.

The patronage cohort is diverse, reflecting a wide range of causes and organisations.


Some of your organisations are among South Australia’s oldest not for profit endeavours, such as the RSPCA, which celebrates its 150th anniversary this year. Others, such as the Kathleen Lumley Foundation, celebrated its launch here at Government House on Monday.

As Governor, I have been deeply encouraged by the resilience and dedication of you all, not least during challenging times when you are being asked to do more with less.

Rod and I have been privileged to engage with many of you throughout the year, gaining a deeper understanding of your work and the profound impact you have on our community.

There were many highlights:

In March, Rod and I were thrilled to witness the South Australian cricket team win the Sheffield Shield for the first time in nearly 30 years, while Rod had the pleasure of performing in the Adelaide Fringe with the Adelaide Male Voice Choir.

In October Rod joined the Scientific Expedition Group to conduct a biodiversity study in Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park on the Southern Yorke Peninsula, to track the successful reintroduction of some native species.

That weekend, I met up with Achilles Adelaide, which supports people with disabilities to take up walking or running, for its weekly training session.

I met a runner called Johnny, here today, who lives with hearing and vision loss. He wasn’t a runner before joining Achilles and will now compete in next year’s London Marathon – an exceptional achievement.


Also in October Rod and I had the pleasure of hosting a morning tea for young carers, children and young people who play important roles looking after family members with illness or disability.

It was a joy to see them take a break from their responsibilities and be kids, exploring Government House’s public rooms and some of its features, including fossils on loan from the South Australian museum which are half a billion years old, and sitting in the chair Her Late Majesty the Queen used to receive callers on her final visit to Adelaide in 2002.

At several points throughout the year, Rod and I have brought together representatives of patronage organisations at Government House over lunch to develop networks and compare notes.

It was great to see the connections forged between organisations working towards similar goals, whose representatives were sometimes meeting for the first time.

Friends

At the heart of your organisations are your people: individuals who regularly go above and beyond the requirements of their position to help you reach your goals.

From board members who provide governance and strategic direction, to staff who implement your organisation’s mission with dedication and persistence, to volunteers who give the precious gift of their time and expertise, and donors who generously support your work – everyone makes a unique and important contribution.

During Rod’s and my school visits this year, we have constantly been reminded of the willingness of young people to 'give back', as they describe it.

I believe your organisations are setting a powerful example for the next generation.

They are beacons of volunteering, amplifying voices that need to be heard, providing guidance and encouragement, building communities, and being there when people face difficult times.

I encourage you today to deepen ties with one another, particularly with organisations that share your goals. Rod and I have witnessed the remarkable outcomes that emerge when like-minded groups collaborate.

As your patrons, we stand ready to support you by offering encouragement, recognising achievement, or serving as a sounding board.

We hope everyone has an enjoyable Christmas and holiday season and, as your patrons, we look forward to working with you in 2026.

May you continue to improve the lives of countless South Australians and build a strong South Australian community. For this, Rod and I offer our deepest gratitude, as indeed we do, as always to the South Australia Police Band.

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