Speeches
Wednesday, 12 March 2025
Adelaide Festival Luncheon
Rod and I welcome you to Government House today to celebrate the 2025 Adelaide Festival.
We extend a particularly warm welcome to guests who have travelled from interstate or overseas.
Rod and I have been soaking up as many Festival and Fringe performances as we can, whether across the road at Adelaide Festival Centre or further afield.
This year we congratulate Adelaide Festival on its 40th festival program, a program that this year includes 65 events and 11 world premieres.
From the stunning set and confronting themes of the opera Innocence on opening night, to the invigorating performance of flamenco dancer Rocio Molina in Fallen From Heaven…
To the incredible voices of Claire de Sévigné, Cat Power and artists at Womadelaide…
To the abundance of creativity embodied by authors at Writers Week…
These are just some the great pleasures Rod and I have experienced at this year’s Adelaide Festival – and of course, it’s not over yet!
We still have Café Müller, Big Name No Blankets, Titus Andronicus and Trent Dalton’s Love Stories to look forward to.
Since 1960, the Adelaide Festival has grown to occupy a significant place in South Australia cultural and artistic life.
Having the opportunity to welcome renowned international artists to Adelaide, such as those from Club Amour, the production with our largest contingent of guests today, is a source of great pride for our state – as is showcasing our local talent and championing our nation’s most innovative work.
South Australians, as well as a significant number of interstate visitors, take great joy in contributing to the buzz and excitement that the festival brings.
Thank you all for choosing to be part of Adelaide Festival, and for sharing your talent and artistic expression with us.
We thank you for creating meaningful connection with local audiences, for inspiring dialogue, and sometimes debate, and for leaving us with wonderful memories of performances on which to reflect for the rest of our lives.
South Australia is proud to offer you national and international exposure, as well as opportunities for collaboration and reputational growth.
While in Adelaide, we hope you are also able to attend Fringe and Festival performances, and experience our city’s other delights, such as food, wine, and beautiful beaches.
I thank the Adelaide Festival leadership team, including Artistic Director Brett Sheehy and Chief Executive Kath Mainland, for their delivery of the 2025 program, with support from staff, volunteers and generous donors.
Friends,
Rod and I hope the festival has been an enjoyable and rewarding experience for you so far, and we wish you every success for the future.
Thank you all for making Adelaide Festival one of Australia’s most exciting artistic events.