Speeches
Monday, 01 December 2025
Reception to present the 2025 Student Citizenship Awards
Welcome to Government House for the presentation of the 2025 Student Citizenship Awards.
As part of our commitment to engage with young people throughout the State, Rod and I have visited eight of the nine schools represented this evening and were warmly welcomed.
Now we are pleased to welcome you to our place along with your fellow award recipients.
During these school visits we were deeply impressed by the commitment of young people to be active participants in their communities.
And that commitment is at the heart of these Student Citizenship Awards.
While you have been identified by your schools as leaders, you have all shown a commitment to principles that make our communities strong: diversity, inclusion, wellbeing, giving young a voice.
Congratulations to the 10 students who are being presented with awards “with distinction”. You are role models who can inspire others to strive in their own way to shape their world.
Thirty-seven other students have been nominated for a Student Award Certificate, and they will receive their awards at school functions and assemblies later this year. Rod and I also congratulate them on their achievements.
Taking on extra challenges by giving back to the community during your senior years of schooling takes commitment and determination. Thank you for doing this.
I thank your family, friends, and schools for providing an environment that supports and encourages you in these endeavours.
Today, for the first time the Student Citizen of the Year, has been named the Keith Chook Fowler OAM Award, and we are delighted two members of his family are with us and will continue to support this award going forward.
“Chook” as he was affectionately known - and I am sure he would want us to call him that today - passed away two years ago at the venerable age of 103.
A former prisoner of war who was forced to work on the notorious Thai-Burma Railway, he never retained bitterness or resentment about his ordeals.
Instead, he used his experiences to send a message to others of fortitude, forgiveness and serving your country.
A humble man, he was generous in his commitment to sharing his story with young people.
He was well known to us at Government House.
I was honoured to present him with an Order of Australia Medal in the Australian Honours system, which celebrates 50 years this year.
I stood beside him at the unveiling of the Thailand paver on the Anzac Centenary Memorial Walk next to Government House.
I was honoured that he unveiled the national flag which stands beside the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags and State Flag at a ceremony here at Government House. You would have passed the flags on your way to the ballroom.
Chook’s mantra was “While I can, I must.”
And I hope you will want to carry forward that commitment with you throughout life. You have already shown a desire to do so.
I commend the SA Branch of the Order of Australia Association for its flagship program which has run for many years now. Thank you for investing in our future.
I also thank the Department for Education for its support and each school in the government, independent and Catholic education sectors for researching and nominating worthy recipients.
To the students, again congratulations.
I hope to see you all back at Government House one day, perhaps even to receive another award for your contribution to our State.
May you always be active and engaged citizens.