Speeches
Saturday, 12 October 2024
Catherine House Gala Dinner
Rod and I are pleased to join you this evening for the 2024 Gala Dinner.
As patron, it is my great pleasure to celebrate Catherine House and the people who support its important work.
For thirty six years, Catherine House has provided vulnerable women with hope, care and dignity in a safe environment.
It continues to be the only homelessness and recovery service for women in our state.
Through my engagement with the organisation, I have witnessed first-hand its life changing effects on some of the most vulnerable members of our community.
Catherine House does far more than put a roof over the head of South Australian women experiencing homelessness, many of whom have also experienced domestic and family violence.
For the women who come through its doors, it can be the first time they’ve felt safe for years.
Staff and volunteers ensure women feel seen and feel valued.
Sometimes in life, when we’re in extremely difficult situations, it can be challenging to imagine how we might move through them.
Catherine House provides a guiding hand for women experiencing confusion and a feeling of helplessness.
They help women to see a positive future for themselves, and walk alongside them as they take their first steps towards a new life.
As the saying goes, we can live weeks without food, days without water, but only seconds without hope.
While the journey forward may not be easy, Catherine House helps women to believe in themselves and the possibilities for their lives.
I’m very pleased the Governor-General was able to visit Catherine House last month during an official visit to South Australia, and to see this for herself.
When Catherine House opened in 1988, it had just 12 rooms.
Over the years it has grown to accommodate 60 women at any given time.
As you would be aware, across Australia increasing numbers of women are experiencing homelessness.
I am proud that Catherine House is rising to the challenge to combat this in whatever way it can, against the background of increased demand and increased complexity of personal situations.
Undoubtedly, Catherine House has been creative with the use of its small site over the years.
With hundreds of women on its waitlist, greater capacity has been a long term goal of the organisation.
The Catherine House Board and staff have shown great leadership and determination in pursuit of a solution, and I believe Julie Duncan will be sharing some good news with us shortly on this topic.
Friends,
As Governor I do not take a direct role in fundraising, but as patron of a wide variety of organisations, I am always very happy to see them succeed with their fundraising goals and this evening is no exception.
As your patron I have witnessed the strong support that Catherine House enjoys from the South Australian community.
I thank everyone here this evening for their generous contributions, past and present, as well as Housing Choices Australia for its working partnership with Catherine House.
I look forward to working with Catherine House into the future as it grows its contribution to our state and continues to provide life-changing assistance to South Australian women.