Speeches
Friday, 14 November 2025
Reception for Churchill Fellows
Rod and I are delighted to welcome you all - and for some, to welcome you back - to Government House.
We are privileged to have two distinct groups of Churchill Fellows present for this ceremony:
- eight new fellows beginning their journey, and
- nine returning fellows being awarded medallions to mark the completion of their journeys.
I regularly meet Churchill Fellows in the course of my role as Governor.
Overwhelmingly, Fellows describe their experience as transformative.
It builds confidence, deepens their understanding of their own capabilities and helps them find new purpose.
The work of Fellows effects change in our community.
I look forward to seeing how the work of returning and new fellows helps to influence new reforms and initiatives.
Returning Fellows have explored diverse fields: heritage trade skills, farming practices, health and mental healthcare, horticulture, and neurodiversity awareness.
The countries visited, including Finland, Austria, Germany, Mexico, New Zealand, the US and Canada, reflect the truly global nature of your learning.
New Fellows are set to explore equally diverse areas, from
housing in heritage buildings, energy transfer from electric vehicles to the grid, to diagnosing autonomic disorders, and the benefits of contemporary dance for men.
Diversity also extends to the backgrounds and experiences of Fellowship recipients.
You have all taken different pathways to get to this point and I commend your initiative and curiosity.
It is this diversity that makes the Churchill Fellowships unique.
From the beginning, the Fellowships were established to enable people of any background, educational attainment or age, to explore an area of deep interest through international research.
Fellows with a range of life experiences and interests are exploring areas that may not otherwise be brought to light – and that benefits us all.
This year marks the 60th anniversary of the Churchill Trust.
Since 1965, it has awarded more than 4500 fellowships, leaving an enduring impact across Australian communities.
Then as now, the world faced great change ranging from geo-political tensions to the social challenges flowing from technological innovation.
The Fellowships continue to support Australians to respond creatively to the challenges of our time.
I thank the members and supporters of the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust and the Churchill Fellows Association of South Australia.
Your financial, logistical and moral support allows fellows to give full attention to their learning, generating benefits that flow through the community.
I also recognise the contribution of family members who support the Fellows to pursue their learning.
To our new Fellows: Thank you for embracing this opportunity to build knowledge and identify solutions – I wish you every success as you begin your fellowship.
Congratulations and well done to the returning Fellows – you can be proud of your achievements. I look forward to your work leading to positive change.
Your commitment to knowledge and improving understanding is inspiring and has the power to change our communities for the better.