Speeches
Wednesday, 23 September 2026
UNESCO Clubs - Adelaide Chapter Awards
Rod and I, as joint patrons of the UNESCO Clubs - Adelaide Chapter, are delighted to join you in the Queen Adelaide Room today to celebrate the work of the chapter and to present four awards.
I thank the Lord Mayor for generously hosting this year.
As my term as Governor draws to a close, I have been reflecting on the many organisations Rod and I have engaged with throughout the State.
In them we have been privileged see the very best of community spirit at work. People dedicated to serving others and giving to their communities.
The UNESCO Clubs - Adelaide chapter is one such organisation.
The values and ideals of UNESCO remain relevant and inspirational to us today.
For more than eight decades, UNESCO has championed peace and understanding through education, arts, science, culture and communication.
And here in Adelaide, the UNESCO Clubs Adelaide Chapter has striven to give expression and substance to those values.
The UNESCO values and ideals speak very much to those who want to foster understanding and build a world where people matter, people like those we are honouring tonight: Dr Paul Duke, Ms Elizabeth Ho, Ms Kahlia Gibson and the Cops for Kids organisation.
While each has brought their own perspectives, talents and experience to their work, they are united in their ability to make a tangible difference to the lives of others.
All four exemplify the spirit of volunteering on which so many organisations depend.
Tonight’s awardees join those who have previously been honoured by the UNESCO Clubs - Adelaide chapter; it’s an impressive list, among them Dr Lynn Arnold, Professor Peter Buckskin, Justice Ted Mulligan, The Mary Potter Foundation, Scott Hicks, Catherine House, Marie Shaw, and Professor Nicola Spurier.
Speaking of impressive, I want to acknowledge too the extraordinary commitment of the chapter’s chairperson, the indefatigable Helen Rice, whose stewardship now spans 23 years.
I also acknowledge the support of her husband Brian whose computer wizardry and printer expertise I know contributes greatly behind the scenes.
Likewise, I thank Gwendolyn Morphett and Indrani Beharrylall for their longstanding service as Secretary and Treasurer.
Like many other volunteer organisations, I know that Helen and the committee recognise the need to attract new members.
I encourage newer members to reach out to those in their circle of acquaintance to promote the work of the chapter.
There are many people seeking opportunities to contribute skills, experience and enthusiasm and be part of a cause larger than themselves.
They may be newly retired, easing back from fulltime work, or entering a different stage of life.
They just need to know about who you are and how - as the only UNESCO Clubs Chapter in Australia - the Adelaide organisation has a unique role to play.
Through organisations such as yours, values and ideals become actions, and actions become results.
I again congratulate the 2026 award winners on your well-deserved recognition.
You are helping to shape a culturally rich, educated and informed world.
To Helen, the committee and the members and supporters of the UNESCO Clubs - Adelaide Chapter, thank you for your continued commitment.
Rod and I wish you every success as you continue to carry this work forward.