Speeches
Friday, 10 October 2025
Young Carers Business Luncheon
Rod and I are delighted to be with you today at this business luncheon to recognise and celebrate the service of young carers. Thank you to Young Carers SA for bringing us all together in support of these young people and congratulations on your first year of operation.
With more than 30,000 young carers in South Australia, there is a clear need for support that is tailored to their specific challenges.
To the young people here today who take on the role of caring for someone you love – thank you for all you do. You demonstrate remarkable devotion in looking after the health, wellbeing and safety of family members.
You are not defined by your experience as a carer but made stronger and more resilient by it.
I hope you enjoy this opportunity to take a break from caring and to focus on your own wellbeing.
Today, I want to assure you that we – as a community – appreciate what you do and have some understanding of what you forgo to do this work.
At an age where most young people are exploring identities, and planning for the future, you are navigating complex challenges that many adults would struggle with.
Helping a family member manage medication and disabilities, cooking and cleaning, helping with personal care, providing emotional support, and managing household finances – all while still trying to be young people.
You don’t seek our pity or sympathy, just our support – as a community and through services that cater to your needs as young people and as carers.
Importantly, we need to listen when you tell us what you need, and treat your concerns with respect and empathy.
I look forward to hearing from young carers today about their experiences, as well as Tara Stark who has built a career as a lawyer and has her own story as a young carer.
Friends,
It is heartening to see people from across the community – politicians, business, government and community leaders – all partners in support of young carers.
Your presence here shows a number of things:
- you genuinely care for young carers.
- you want to listen to them, to find out how as a community we can better support them.
- young carers deserve the same education, social and employment opportunities as their peers … and the chance to act their age every now and again.
Thank you all for stepping up to show these young people they have some powerful allies behind them.
And to the young carers here – thank you for being role models of care and compassion in our community.