Speeches
Monday, 10 November 2025
Women in Innovation Awards
As patron of Women in Innovation, I am pleased to join you, with Rod, for the 2025 Women in Innovation Awards.
I have wanted to attend these awards for a while now, but this time of year being well and truly ‘awards season’, have not been able to do so until now.
It is a genuine pleasure to be here at last and to recognise the depth and breadth of innovative work being undertaken by women across South Australia.
As Governor I am committed to advancing gender equality, innovation and creativity – three priorities that are fundamental to our state’s future.
Women constitute over one-third of new business founders in Australia and represent nearly half of the academic population[1], yet barriers to recognition, funding and opportunity persist.
The work of Women in Innovation to dismantle these barriers, through mentorship, visibility and encouragement, makes a vital contribution to our state.
In our society we talk about innovation frequently, and we understand its basic meaning.
But what it really means in practice, is what all of you are doing.
Solving old problems in new ways. Having an idea and bringing it to life in physical form. Creating value for yourself and others. And using your imagination, your creativity, expertise, determination and resilience to do so.
South Australia has earned a national and international reputation for innovation in renewable energy, defence and space, wine and agriculture, and health and medical technology.
While our state is undeniably strong in these areas, the truth is I see innovation - and innovative women - everywhere.
As I travel our state, from metropolitan Adelaide to regional and remote communities, I encounter women finding unique ways to address a range of challenges facing their local and broader communities.
Women on Eyre Peninsula bringing new energy to Kimba through Workshop26, Kimba’s Creative Quarter, Whyalla Women recognising innovative women through the Whyalla Businesswoman of the Year Awards, Peterborough Women bringing the printing works back to life, Agrifuture’s Rural Women’s awards recognising some truly outstanding women and just last week the women behind the Mentally Fit Eyre Peninsula receiving Impact 100 funding.
As part of Rod’s and my civics program in high schools across South Australia, we encourage students to consider being ‘entrepreneurial’, both in terms of their career path and in how they approach the world: asking good questions and relentlessly seeking answers.
I see that spirit reflected in tonight's finalists.
Research shows that women entrepreneurs often prioritise pro-social and pro-environmental decisions when conducting business.[2]
Women's innovation actively makes our community better, more equitable and more sustainable.
I have had the privilege of meeting a number of this year's finalists in the course of my work, and I am keen to meet more.
It is heartening to know there are so many dynamic, innovative women doing important work in our community.
I note that Women in Innovation is now in its eleventh year, having recognised more than 600 finalists and 120 winners across diverse industries.
I am encouraged by the expansion of awards this year to include two new categories: First Nations Innovation and Sustainability.
I thank Women in Innovation – and particularly Co-Presidents Melinda Parent and Dr Cassandra Zaina – for their volunteer-led dedication to elevating the voices of South Australian women.
We must cultivate ecosystems that genuinely support individuals in unlocking their full potential, dismantle structural inequalities and genuinely help Australia adapt to evolving challenges, and WINN is doing precisely that.
To all of tonight's finalists: your work spans creative industries, emerging technologies, engineering, environmental science, First Nations innovation, government intrapreneurship, mathematics and data, open innovation, regional leadership, science, social impact, sustainability and technology.
You are redefining what is possible, not just in South Australia, but globally, and your contributions are leaving an indelible mark on our state and beyond.
I wish you every success tonight and into the future, as you continue to prove that innovation truly has no limitations.
[1] https://womensagenda.com.au/partner-content/representation-and-equality-in-innovation-isnt-rocket-science-its-actually-harder/
[2] https://womensagenda.com.au/partner-content/representation-and-equality-in-innovation-isnt-rocket-science-its-actually-harder/