Speeches
Monday, 04 May 2026
SA Giving Week Reception
Rod and I are delighted to welcome the philanthropy community to Government House to launch the inaugural SA Giving Week.
It is heartening to see organisations coming together to establish the week, because by bringing together different learnings, differing perspectives, and various abilities to influence outcomes, momentum can be built for good things to happen.
At its core, philanthropy isn’t just about formal generosity and generosity of spirit, it is about the power of collective action.
Action that is defined not by size, but by intent.
Standing here at Government House we are surrounded by near-by examples of how philanthropy shaped the foundation of our State.
- The Angas family and others whose donations built our churches, public buildings, and educational institutions.
- The Bonythons for contributing to the building of Parliament House, and the Adelaide University’s Bonython Hall.
- The Waite family bequeathing land for what is now the Waite Agricultural Research Institute.
- Those who stepped up to help Aboriginal people, the destitute, the sick, the uneducated, or the disabled.
Fast forward to today and the work of Dr Pamela Wall and the James and Diana Ramsay Foundation and the work of organisations represented here today and others, demonstrates that philanthropy remains part our cultural DNA.
Another lovely example of generosity is the beautiful arrangement of autumn colours which stands behind me this evening.
It was created by Mrs Beryl Bredon, from whom I have taken some formal lessons in the art of flower arranging.
Beryl donated the arrangement for this evening’s reception, as her own unique contribution of ‘giving’, and for this Rod and I thank her.
SA Giving Week is an opportunity to further harness our state’s culture of giving, and encourage its growth.
I know that for many people the decision to give generously is very personal - honed by watching a loved one’s journey through serious illness, wanting to contribute to combatting climate change, seeking to preserving the environment, or giving children opportunity.
Philanthropy speaks to our community because it is not just a transaction, it is a connection.
People genuinely want a stake in something that is transformative and delivered by an organisation they trust.
I have noticed that many of Rod and my patronage organisations are producing insightful impact reports to demonstrate how generosity is making a difference through the stories of how lives or circumstances have been changed.
We have seen how partnerships and seeking matching funding has boosted impact.
And while philanthropy can be easily thought of as the ambit of the wealthy and those who have already made a high-profile mark on society, the groundswell of support for Go Fund Me projects on social media or the internet and the number of family trusts suggests otherwise.
People of all ages and circumstances do care. They do want to make a difference. They do want to be part of change for good.
Looking wider, women today are living longer and the She Gives research report released earlier this year by the Governor General, demonstrates that women are making significant decisions in shaping where the national’s $5.4 trillion intergenerational wealth transfer will flow over the next decades.
The report also suggests that expanding awareness of and access to structured giving represents a significant opportunity to strengthen confidence, strategy, and long-term impact.
In this way, SA Giving Week and its events and conversations enable people to hone their decision-making as to what to support, and how to go about it - turning intention into action.
This could be financial, but alternatively - or as well as - through giving time, skills, advocacy networks and care.
I thank the leadership of those who have made the week possible including: Ana and Christopher Koch Foundation, Burton Foundation, Day Family Foundation, Nunn Dimos Foundation, Australian Ethical, Creative Australia, Foundation SA, Lanyon Foundation, Minderoo Foundation, Philanthropy Australia, and the SA Philanthropy Network.
Your work has helped shape the philanthropic culture we are celebrating and is building momentum around a shared purpose.
I share your hope SA Giving Week will become a defining part of South Australia’s identity and a part of an ambitious goal for out State to become a national leader in growing giving.
Afterall, we are all custodians of the vision of what we want South Australia to be.