Speeches
Friday, 09 December 2022
Governor's Leadership Foundation Graduation
Firstly, to the participants, congratulations on your achievement in completing the Governor’s Leadership Foundation program!
I am delighted to be with you here tonight as the Patron of the Leaders Institute and happily take on this role because I believe that great leadership is critical to this State’s future.
As Governor I stand ready to offer my support to ensure we can nurture and encourage those who display leadership potential.
Much has happened since February when we came together at Government House to launch this year’s leadership program: A state election, the transition to a new government, Her Majesty the Queen passing, and the transition to a new King.
Significant changes, but smooth transitions, which is a testament to strong institutions that have been nurtured through good leadership.
As our world grapples with the recovery from the pandemic, changing geopolitical tensions, climate change and other global issues, leadership has been shown to be critical.
To navigate these imperatives, we need leaders with vision, humanity, integrity and initiative.
Inclusive leaders who listen and are generous.
Through the Governor’s Leadership Foundation Program and Alumni, that culture of leadership is being established in South Australia.
In that way we are building a socially cohesive and prosperous community with positive impacts beyond our borders,
Having just returned from my first overseas visits as Governor to Singapore and Vietnam, closely followed by England and Japan, I am encouraged by the close bilateral relationships South Australia has in trade, investment, defence and education and our people to people ties.
Yet, if I may take a helicopter view of our State, I have observed that while there are many examples of how we are leading the world, South Australians have a tendency to be are more self-effacing than we should be.
We have a good story to tell and we should be bold in telling it.
After all, we are leading the way in tech and innovation through the Australian Space Agency, the Adelaide Biomedical Precinct and other initiatives.
Our strengths in areas such as medical research, the arts, defence and space industries, wine and agriculture and education, can be enhanced by incisive leadership, a global perspective and on-going commitment to relationship building.
I hope you will be bold leaders who continue to think and act beyond the boundaries of the boardroom and office. Your Community Action Projects connected your leadership with the outcomes that make a difference in the community to organisations such as Nature Foundation, Variety SA, Youth Inc, Think Films, Muslim Australian Connections of SA, and Lighthouse Disability.
I thank the Leaders Institute of South Australia for its vision and stewardship of its development programs.
By creating a powerful sense of connection between individuals, their organisations and the wider community, you are developing leaders with an outward focus and strong collaboration skills and helping to create a better future for the State.
To the graduands, I commend you for successfully completing the program. I know it is challenging to commit to such an intense and immersive program combined with what I imagine for most of you includes work, family and community commitments.
From here I would urge you all to actively consider ways you can maximise the opportunities for the State that the Governor’s Leadership Foundation program has afforded you.
I wish you all the best for the future as you implement what you have learned about yourself and your leadership, and your collective power as leaders.