Speeches
Monday, 31 August 2026
Reception for the 2026 South Australian Resilient Australia Awards
I am delighted to welcome you to Government House for the SA Resilience Awards, which honour the remarkable contribution of our communities, researchers, and emergency services.
A particular welcome to those of you who have travelled from interstate or country SA to join us.
It has been my honour to have presented these awards for four years now.
Each year – and between times during Rod’s and my visits throughout the State – we have been inspired by the range of people who contribute to making South Australia safer and more resilient.
People such as you here today.
We live in a beautiful land, but at times a harsh land. We have experienced floods, drought, storms, fires, earthquakes, and other emergencies, such as a pandemic, which test us.
Resilience isn’t built when such emergencies happen. It is built every day by people and organisations preparing, connecting, learning, and looking after one another - well before disaster strikes.
Rod and I have met so many capable and generous South Australians who are doing just that – building foundations, building capability, and building strong communities.
Not only in our emergency services, but in government, local councils, businesses, schools, not for profits, and many other organisations.
Together they prepare, train, develop and maintain infrastructure, build networks, and raise all-important funds.
At the heart of that generosity of spirit and action is the desire to work together to build communities that are ready, that can - and do - respond quickly; communities that look out for each other.
At the core of emergency response have been people who work hard to build physical and mental resilience, who share their experience and knowledge, and help bind us as communities.
The State has seen this as recently as the evacuation necessitated by the Port Adelaide sulphur fire. We have seen this whenever it becomes necessary to battle floods and fires.
We have seen this when we responded to the algal bloom and now as we tackle bird flu.
It is always inspiring to witness such community spirit in action and I sincerely thank the first responders, emergency service personnel and volunteers who are there, who are ready and are prepared.
The awards today are not only a reminder of the power of collaboration and preparedness but serve as a wider thank you to those who contribute to our on-going resilience and those who support them.
Much of this work happens behind the scenes, away from the headlines, but it is work that is essential to create safe and prepared communities.
I thank those who took the time to nominate the award winners because recognition matters. It provides encouragement and generates pride.
Thank you to the Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience for running these awards, the judging panel, and to SAFECOM as the State Convenor.
To the award winners, congratulations.
Your work is inspiring, greatly appreciated and above all, valued.