Speeches
Wednesday, 11 February 2026
SACE Ceremony
Welcome to Government House.
Each year, the announcement of the SACE results creates a ripple of excitement in our community.
Families, friends and neighbours carefully go through the Advertiser lift-out, searching for students in their lives who have received merits.
For weeks, I’ve been encountering proud parents and grandparents whose children and grandchildren are coming to Government House today, to receive their merit awards.
Congratulations to each and every one of today’s recipients.
I trust you’ve been looking forward to this ceremony, and the opportunity to celebrate your achievements with your peers.
For each of you, the path you took to get here will look different.
However, the way in which you have set goals, applied yourselves, overcome setbacks, maintained discipline and focus – these are qualities you all share, and will stand you in excellent stead.
Today I am particularly pleased to celebrate the Governor of South Australia Commendations.
They celebrate the efforts of students with strong academic results, and, importantly, a focus on serving others.
As Governor, civics education is one of my priorities.
Every year my husband Rod and I meet thousands of South Australian secondary school students during our visits to schools across the state.
No two schools are the same and the resources and opportunities available to students can vary widely.
I congratulate our Commendation winners on your academic achievements and on making the most of what your school had to offer you and using your initiative, often to bring about positive change.
You are role models for your peers and for younger students.
I encourage you to continue to do what you did to get here today.
This may have been volunteering, creative work, taking on leadership responsibilities or making change in your schools.
Keep it up.
Active and engaged citizens are so important for the wellbeing and prosperity of our community.
Together with your fellow Merit recipients, you are our state’s future leaders.
I hope you are excited about what comes next and are building a life that brings personal success, as well as meaningful contribution to our community and our state.
From my own experience, and my engagement with students in secondary schools, may I offer the following advice to young people here today.
Keep an open mind. You don’t need to have it all worked out now.
I began university studying law and economics.
At that stage I wasn’t planning to become Australia’s Ambassador to China or Head of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, let alone Governor of South Australia.
I was simply following my interests and abilities, while keeping an eye on how whatever I was doing might make a broader contribution to our society.
As your lives and careers progress, I encourage you to explore the opportunities here for you in South Australia.
By all means gather experience and knowledge interstate or overseas, but always consider how you might put your skills to use here.
South Australia is experiencing growth in a range of innovative, cutting-edge industries and there are exciting possibilities for you to pursue in all walks of life.
To the young people here today,
I hope you will return to Government House, whether to visit the grounds and house on our open days, or to be acknowledged for your contributions as you are today, to receive an Australian Honour or other award, or perhaps even one day be sworn in as a government minister!
To your teachers, principals, parents and siblings I thank you for encouraging our young people to be their very best and set a firm foundation for the future.
I thank the SACE board and staff for equipping our young people with the skills and knowledge to maximise their potential as Australian and global citizens.
You have all contributed to the 2025 student cohort achievements, which included increases in total SACE completion, as well as completion rates of Aboriginal and regional students.
Congratulations once again to our award recipients.
I wish you all the very best and look forward to seeing your ongoing contributions to our state, enriching our community now and into the future.
There’s every likelihood we’ll meet again, and when we do, I’d love to hear how you are getting on!