Speeches
Monday, 01 June 2026
Reception to Celebrate Deaf Australia’s 40th Anniversary
<AUSLAN to be signed in silence>
Welcome everyone.
Government House.
Celebrate.
40th Anniversary.
Deaf Australia.
Today we Celebrate
40 years of progress
40 years of advocacy
40 years of recognition
Deaf people
I thank Leigh-Anne Edwards from Deaf Australia for her expertise – and patience - in guiding me so I could welcome you in the Auslan language.
Friends
One of the great strengths of South Australia is the willingness of people to recognise a need and use their talents and experiences to effect change.
That drive has been at the heart of Deaf Australia since its inception as the former Australian Association of the Deaf.
Over the past 40 years, the organisation has worked assiduously to ensure Deaf people lead the protection of their rights, strengthen their language, and influence national policy affecting their lives.
It is a matter of pride that Adelaide is the birthplace of this national organisation, which has empowered Deaf people to speak for themselves on matters affecting their lives, language, and communities.
I thank everyone past and present who has helped raise the visibility and recognition of Auslan and deaf culture as a linguistic and cultural community rather than seeing deafness only through a medical lens.
Today, we are not only marking four decades of advocacy but celebrate the lives that have been changed over that time.
To have potential recognised and language respected are powerful pathways that enable people to participate more fully in classrooms, workplaces, and public life.
I know there are many milestones, but to highlight a few, I note that Member Mrs Sandra Hoopman is here today, who was the first profoundly deaf person to graduate from the University of Adelaide.
Not only graduate, but with first class honours in a Bachelor of Arts in Gender, Work, and Social Inquiry.
She and Mr John Hoopman were present at the inaugural meeting of the Australian Association of the Deaf on Sunday 1 June 1986.
And Dr Breda Carty AO, Adjunct Fellow, University of New South Wales, was part of the team that wrote the first ever Auslan national curriculum for Australian schools.
Through them and many others including those here today, government policy has been influenced, and public understanding enhanced.
A 40th anniversary also invites us to contemplate what’s next.
I have every faith that the legacy of the pioneers will be carried forward by those that will come after as you help improve awareness, equality and access.
Thank you all.
<AUSLAN to be signed in silence.>
I thank everyone
Past, present and future
Who have been part
Deaf Australia story
You help improve
Awareness, equality, and access
Thank you all
Your support