Speeches
Tuesday, 01 July 2025
Reception for Adelaide Festival Centre Vanguard
I am pleased to welcome the Adelaide Festival Centre Foundation Vanguard community to Government House.
Philanthropy has long been part of South Australia’s ethos and was integral to the early settlement of our state.
There is something about South Australians that gives us an impetus to identify what needs to be done, to join together and make things happen - a generosity of spirit alongside a generosity of giving.
That doesn’t make us unique, but it helps, particularly when it comes to philanthropy.
With the rising cost of living, philanthropic giving can feel out of reach for many people, especially younger South Australians meeting the financial challenges of building careers, starting families and buying homes.
Excitingly, traditional concepts of philanthropy are evolving to include new models of support.
It is reported that younger generations at the vanguard of giving associate less with the word ‘philanthropy’ and more as active drivers of change, wanting to be more hands-on in their involvement.
You may identify with this.
It’s great to see the Adelaide Festival Centre embrace these societal shifts, creating the Vanguard community to offer giving options that empower younger people to support the arts.
I was 12 years old when the Adelaide Festival Centre officially opened its doors as Australia's first capital city multi-purpose arts centre.
Some of my warmest memories as a teen and university student were attending performances in the centre.
Perhaps you have similar memories.
Today, as Governor, it is my privilege to support the centre and its role at the heart of the arts in South Australia.
It’s pleasing to see Vanguard embracing the principles of our state’s new cultural policy, ‘A Place to Create’, in particular its strategies centred on audience accessibility, career support for artists and strong artistic organisations.
I thank Vanguard for allocating funds to AFC programs which provide free or subsidised tickets to people experiencing disadvantage, for both performances and performing arts programs.
I also note that Vanguard has supported the AFC First Nations Fellowship and Early Career Artists program as part of the Adelaide Cabaret Festival.
As members of Vanguard, you are helping to ensure a strong future for the Adelaide Festival Centre and for the artistic and cultural life of our state.
Your contributions are laying the groundwork for a vibrant culture of giving that will sustain and enrich the Adelaide Festival Centre for a long time to come.
I trust your involvement in Vanguard is personally fulfilling, both in terms of serving your community, as well as the opportunity to meet like-minded people and to learn more about the operation of the arts in South Australia.
I hope you will embrace your roles as leaders and look for ways to grow your involvement into the future, whether that’s through financial giving or other opportunities to share your time and expertise.
I thank the Adelaide Festival Centre Foundation for launching Vanguard and providing a unique opportunity for younger South Australians to engage with artistic philanthropy.
I also thank four of the Foundation’s established donors - Sheryn Foord, Roger Lang, and Legh and Helen Davis - who have matched the funds of Vanguard supporters, encouraging younger philanthropists to contribute and see their giving go further.
Congratulations to the Adelaide Festival Centre on the success of its new Vanguard community.
It’s only the beginning, and I wish this community every success as you forge a bright future at the vanguard of giving in our state.