Speeches

Wednesday, 25 October 2023

Reception for 2023 Children’s Week Awards

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Rod and I are delighted, as joint patrons of the Children’s Week Association of South Australia, to welcome you to Government House.

Some of you have travelled from as far away as the Riverland and Port Augusta.

Rod spoke at the official launch last Friday; really pleased both to be involved.

Children’s Week has been celebrated for the past 44 years in South Australia.

This year’s theme: Children have the Right to relax, play and take part in activities they enjoy.

It’s important to be able to relax and play and this Right is enshrined in Article 31 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Children’s Week aims to encourage us all to understand, appreciate and care about children.

The Week helps draw public attention in South Australia and across the world to the health, care, education, cultural, social, and emotional needs of children, and to the importance of recognising achievement.

By ensuring our children thrive, we are encouraging engaged, active citizenship and ensuring our future.

Congratulations to all the award winners.

At the heart of the awards is recognition of a caring attitude, saying well done for overcoming challenges, for having a commitment to equality, for promoting cultural understanding and encouraging others. For being resilient.

Thank you to everyone – particularly to the Committee and members of the Children’s Week Association of SA and partner organisations - whose passion and dedication is making Children’s Week an ongoing success and supporting the realisation of children’s hopes.