Speeches
Friday, 04 November 2022
Reception for Churchill Fellowship recipients
Rod and I are delighted to welcome you to Government House to celebrate and recognise the achievements of the six outstanding South Australian recipients of the 2022 Churchill Fellowships.
This is the first time I have had the honour of presenting the South Australian recipients of Churchill Fellows with their Fellowships.
It has been 57 years since Sir Winston’s death, and the subsequent establishment of these fellowships which provide visionary Australians with an opportunity to gain experience from their international peers.
Since its inception, the Churchill Trust has awarded Fellowships to 419 South Australians who, like Churchill – and yourselves - are innovative, courageous and intent on providing contemporary solutions to issues we are facing as a nation.
Given Sir Winston’s wide breath of interests, it is appropriate that the fellowships awarded to this year’s recipients cover a broad range of topics and issues.
I have been pleased to hear about some of the interesting projects that you are pursuing, such as investigating practices in teaching maths to primary school students, studying the impact of models used at the world’s leading biomechanics laboratories, and researching pulse grain and processing efficiencies.
The Churchill Fellowship’s strength is grounded in awarding fellowships to a diverse range of people from all walks of life who are exploring some of the most pressing and emerging challenges Australia is facing.
This allows for a range of inquiry where research into sustainability and research into different ways parliaments are engaging with young people sits comfortably alongside research into client centred approaches to mental health service delivery.
Collectively, you will visit a total of 26 countries and return to Australia armed with the practical knowledge and experiences needed to advance your projects at home.
Your remarkable achievements are the living legacy of Sir Winston Churchill and reflect his belief in understanding and inter-cultural connection.
I welcome this opportunity to thank members of the Trust and those who contribute to the Trust, whether it is through your time or through financial support.
Your stewardship of the Trust has provided ordinary South Australians with an extraordinary opportunity to expand their collective knowledge and generate a positive impact on the broader community.