Speeches
Monday, 29 May 2023
StudyAdelaide Agents and Partners event – Hong Kong
It is my great pleasure to be here with you today.
This is my first visit as Governor of South Australia to Hong Kong, a place of great significance to me personally and to my State.
My first posting with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade was to Hong Kong, in the late 1980s, and I have many special memories from that time.
A significant focus of my visit is to strengthen connections between Hong Kong and South Australia through education, and supporting the education and career aspirations of Hong Kong students.
During my career as a diplomat, I found education to be the cornerstone of many conversations and to be at the heart of the most influential and long-lived bonds between people across the globe.
As Governor, I am proud that South Australia is home to a world
class education system, and that we have a vibrant international sector.
South Australia is strongly committed to supporting international
students achieve their education and career goals.
This includes the experiences they receive in the classroom,
as well as the opportunities provided by StudyAdelaide and other organisations which enables students to thrive in our community.
During their time in Adelaide, students are supported to create lifelong networks with their peers, as well as connections with businesses and industry.
Hong Kong people have always lived, worked, and thrived in different worlds.
We can help students be confident in making their way in the international world.
There are probably no better examples of these connections than the alumni joining us today.
Just as I have fond recollections of my time as a student overseas, I trust these alumni carry similar memories of living and studying in Adelaide.
You act as a bridge between Hong Kong and Australia, having lived and studied in two different cultures.
And you become ambassadors for our state, sharing your experiences of life in Adelaide with your friends and colleagues.
We take such pride in learning where our alumni have fared since their time in Adelaide.
I know the South Australian education institution representatives and others in the room are looking forward to meeting you over lunch.
We recognise the significant economic and cultural
contributions that Hong Kong students studying in Adelaide
make to our community, and we want to acknowledge the role
that you, education agents and alumni of South Australia, play
in promoting and advocating for Adelaide as a study
destination.
South Australia welcomes the opportunity to continue to host
and support students from Hong Kong in their education and
career journey.
Adelaide is a vibrant, multicultural and progressive city that is undergoing a remarkable transformation, offering significant opportunities for education, lifestyle and careers.
Our economy is transforming, gaining momentum in health, renewable energy, space, agriculture and critical technologies, as well as the professional services which support these sectors.
As Governor, I am also StudyAdelaide’s patron.
Each year I meet a large number of international students, welcoming many to Government House to a picnic for homestay families, a Christmas Garden Party celebration and our open days for the general public.
We all enjoy the famous Lunar New Year Adelaide street party and the OzAsia Festival.
The warmth and care of the homestay families that I met in March
this year, was testament to the welcoming and multicultural
community that we are so proud of in Adelaide.
Adelaide’s culturally diverse community, and its strong sense of welcome to newcomers, is what I think sets our city apart.
It’s at the heart of why Adelaide is consistently voted one of
the world’s most liveable cities.
Thank you for your attendance, and your support in sharing the
opportunities Adelaide offers to international students.
We look forward to welcoming them to Adelaide and I can reassure you that they will be well looked after.