Speeches
Tuesday, 09 December 2025
Reception for Recitals Australia
I warmly welcome you to Government House to recognise Recitals Australia and celebrate the musicians you champion.
Adelaide’s status as Australia’s only UNESCO City of Music, marking ten years in 2025, reflects our strong culture of music appreciation.
Recitals Australia strengthens this by supporting next generations of classical performers, and I am proud – as Patron and an avid concert-goer – to support your efforts.
For more than five decades, Recitals Australia has given emerging musicians a stage to hone their craft while bringing classical music performances to live audiences across Adelaide.
Your organisation provides educational support, mentorship and guidance to help emerging musicians establish and grow their professional careers.
We all understand and share the joy of live performance –
the unique interpretation and expression of music which we as an audience feel deeply, and the sense of connection and community shared by performers and audience members.
Through Recitals Australia, musicians have taken their craft to diverse settings and audiences: from retirement community centres, church halls and schools, to Ukaria, here at Government House, and wider virtual audiences through live streaming.
These experiences give artists valuable live experience, and opportunities to mature as performers and discover new dimensions to their appreciation of composers and repertoire.
Meanwhile, audiences have the chance to be swept up in the beauty and emotion of the music.
I am among the audience members who have enjoyed the opportunity to watch performers in a variety of settings.
I have clearly seen the pathway performers are on and how they have developed as musicians. This has reinforced the support I want to offer as patron.
Your ability to create beauty that moves people so powerfully is a wonderful gift, but it is your dedication to practice and performance that elevates it to new levels.
I also commend those behind you – especially Recitals Australia – who support you to fulfil your potential.
I recognise that Recitals Australia relies largely on philanthropy to support its work and that can be challenging.
I thank the Board and staff for your resilience and innovation in navigating challenges while continuing to support musicians.
I also recognise the donors and supporters who believe in your mission and provide tangible support.
Your investment helps young musicians transform talent and skills into bright futures.
It is also sharing the beauty and emotion of classical music with more people across the community.
And that can only do good.
I thank the musicians for being a source of joy and inspiration for audiences and Recitals Australia for your enduring support of these talented young people.