Winter Conversation Series
Each winter, Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, Governor of South Australia hosts a series of public conversations prominent South Australians in the Government House Ballroom.
Bookings are now live for the second session,‘The Future of Food and Dining in South Australia’ with Celebrated chef and broadcaster Adam Liaw and Nicola Palmer of the Watervale Hotel, who will explore how South Australia’s culinary landscape is evolving, from local produce to dining experiences. Click here to reserve your place.
Winter Conversation Series 2026
This winter, Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, Governor of South Australia, will open the doors of Government House for the Winter Conversation Series - a program of engaging and thought-provoking conversations with outstanding South Australians.
Held in the Government House Ballroom from 12:30pm to 1:30pm on the first Friday of June, July and August, each session will explore bold ideas and current issues through dynamic conversations with leaders shaping South Australia's future.
Friday, 5 June 2026
‘Towards 2036: South Australia’s Bicentenary’
Her Excellency will be joined by Dr Kiera Lindsey, South Australia’s History Advocate, to reflect on the stories that define our past and the legacy the state is building ahead of its 200th anniversary.
Friday, 3 July 2026
‘The Future of Food and Dining in South Australia’
Celebrated chef and broadcaster Adam Liaw and Nicola Palmer of the Watervale Hotel will explore how South Australia’s culinary landscape is evolving, from local produce to dining experiences.
Friday, 7 August 2026
‘The Future of AI in South Australia’
Dr Brenton Cooper of Fivecast and Professor Simon Lucey, Director of the Australian Institute for Machine Learning, will discuss the opportunities and challenges of artificial intelligence and its role in shaping South Australia’s future
Sessions from the 2025, 2024 and 2023 Winter Conversation Series can be viewed below.
Government House Adelaide Winter Conversation Series, 1 August 2025 - Talking about: South Australia in Space
On Friday, 1 August, Katherine Bennell-Pegg, Australian astronaut with the Australian Space Agency, joined Her Excellency to discuss how she became the first person to qualify as an astronaut under the Australian flag, the development of South Australia’s space sector, and the future of our state’s space industry.
Government House Adelaide Winter Conversation Series, 4 July 2025 - Talking about: Courageous Women in the Arts
On Friday, 4 July, Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, Governor of South Australia was joined by Emma Fey, Deputy Director of the Art Gallery of South Australia, and Rachael Azzopardi, Co-Founder of Illuminate Adelaide, for a discussion on the legacy of pioneering Australian women visual artists. The conversation explored how women continue to shape the arts landscape and highlighted current exhibitions celebrating their contributions.
Government House Adelaide Winter Conversation Series, June 2025 - Talking about: Entrepreneurs in South Australia
On Friday, June 6, Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, Governor of South Australia explored the opportunities and challenges for entrepreneurs in our state with Eloise Hall, Co-Founder of TABOO Period Products, and Ben Colley, General Manager of Stone and Chalk, a start-up and innovation incubator at Lot Fourteen.
Government House Adelaide Winter Conversation Series - Order of Australia
On Friday, 23 June 2023, Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, Governor of South Australia, hosted the inaugural Winter Conversation Series event at Government House Adelaide.
The first session featured Order of Australia recipients academic Professor Marnie Hughes-Warrington AO and Tokyo Paralympic gold medallist Darren Hicks OAM.
Government House Adelaide Winter Conversation Series, August 2024 - Environmental Leadership
On Friday, August 2, Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, Governor of South Australia joined Tim Jarvis AM, 2024 SA Australian of the Year, and Tiahni Adamson, 2024 SA Young South Australian of the Year, to discuss environmental advocacy and South Australia's efforts in addressing climate change.
Government House Adelaide Winter Conversation Series, July 2024 - Healthcare of the Future - Genomics and Precision Medicine
On Friday, August 2, Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, Governor of South Australia joined
Government House Adelaide Winter Conversation Series, June 2024 - Ageing Well
On Friday, June 7, Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, Governor of South Australia explored the opportunities and challenges of ageing with Hon Dr Kay Patterson AO, former Age Discrimination Commissioner, and Anne Burgess AM, Chair of the Aged Care Council of the Elders.
Winter Conversation Series - Women's Advancement
On Friday, 25 August, Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, Governor of South Australia hosted the third Winter Conversation Series event at Government House Adelaide.