Speeches
Thursday, 27 November 2025
Reception for Children’s University Volunteers Program
Rod and I warmly welcome you all to Government House to celebrate students in the Children's University Passport to Volunteering programme.
Rod is a member of the Children’s University Advocacy Board and it is our pleasure to support the organisation’s work as it helps a wide range of South Australian students to learn and grow.
As Governor, I visit a large number of high schools across South Australia with Rod each year and engage with students about civics, and their rights and responsibilities as citizens.
We have been impressed by the number of students who are focused on how they can ‘give back’ to their communities – just like the students with us this evening.
I imagine many of you, in addition to your volunteering activities, are balancing formal leadership roles, schoolwork, music, sport and other endeavours.
These are all great ways to educate yourselves about local and global issues of concern while helping to build strong communities.
They are also preparing you to be future leaders and active citizens at work and in your families and society.
Your volunteering records as part of the Children’s University passport program are substantial.
You have undertaken activities in local libraries, in your schools, and other settings. All of this has required significant commitment.
Learning to manage your time, and to prioritise, are very useful skills for the future and will stand you in good stead.
Some of you have completed large amounts of volunteering time, with several students in the hundreds of hours, which is an outstanding achievement!
Serving as a volunteer helps to make our community a better place. Everyone benefits.
I hope you choose to keep up volunteering beyond this program.
There are plenty of opportunities in our community, and you have experienced how rewarding it can be.
To your families, schools, and community partners, I thank you all for supporting your students with their volunteering commitments.
Rod and I are deeply encouraged by the work of Children's University in advancing equality in education and ensuring that every child, regardless of postcode or background, has the opportunity to access educational pathways.
In addition to the volunteering program, I thank Children's University for its commitment to its Passport to Learning program for younger children.
Government House is proud to be one of the program’s learning destinations.
It was great to host the Children’s University booth at our recent Open Day in October, and to see students learning about the house, its contemporary role and history, and coming forward to have their passports stamped.
I also thank the University of Adelaide for managing Children’s University in Australia, the advocacy board for its dedicated efforts, sponsors for their generous support, and adult volunteers for their donation of time and energy.
Students,
Congratulations on your volunteering achievements.
Service is the primary route by which most South Australians visit Government House, and if you continue your journey as active citizens, no doubt many of you will make further visits in the years to come.
May your commitment to giving back continue to grow, enriching your lives and strengthening the communities you serve, as you become the leaders South Australia needs for the future.