Speeches
Monday, 19 May 2025
StudyAdelaide Women in Leadership Luncheon
I am pleased to be with you today, and I thank StudyAdelaide for hosting this Women in Leadership Luncheon.
I warmly welcome all the leaders in the room, in particular our esteemed current and aspiring women leaders.
I championed gender equity throughout my career as a diplomat and it is my pleasure to continue doing so as Governor of South Australia.
Leadership takes many forms – from the traditional concept of a senior role in the workforce, to leading roles in the community, advocacy and entrepreneurship.
Throughout my career, I have worked to drive change in workplaces and challenge deeply entrenched beliefs.
Along the way, I’ve had the privilege of working with many men who also recognise the critical importance of diversity in leadership.
It’s a pleasure to be joined by like-minded champions here today.
I would like to use this opportunity to provide some insights which I have gained throughout my career, which might provide useful in your own journeys.
Access to education has been consistently shown as a powerful catalyst for improving women’s lives, as well as the trajectory of communities and countries.
In your own way, each of you around the table are continuing this story with the role you are playing.
I believe there are lessons to be learned across our countries, and I look forward to our discussion and to hearing your perspectives.
In a world that can be polarising and divisive, active listening and seeking common ground are powerful tools.
I am particularly proud of my home state of South Australia for being a leading jurisdiction in pioneering women’s rights.
South Australia has a long history of being the first in Australia to make many advancements for women, in particular:
in 1879, South Australia established the Advanced School for Girls - the first state secondary school for girls in Australia;
in 1881, the University of Adelaide was the first University in Australia to be able to admit women to degrees;
in 1895, South Australia was the first Australian colony to grant women the right to vote, and one of the first places in the world to allow women to stand for parliament.
The first woman Prime Minister in Australia, the first woman to enter local government in Australia, the first woman Governor in Australia, and the first woman to lead an Australian political party, were all South Australian.
South Australia remains committed to providing opportunities for women to become future leaders through quality education and workplace support.
As with any task as large as gender equality, there is still much to do.
There is great value in learning from other cultures on their own journeys of gender equality, with respect to how we can support each other and build champions in our local and global communities.
I am confident that you all here today will continue to advance this important work.
Thank you all for sharing your insights today and for supporting women at all stages of their leadership journeys.
I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavours.