Speeches
Monday, 05 August 2024
Reception for Philanthropy Australia 2024 National Conference
Rod and I warmly welcome delegates to the 2024 Philanthropy Australia National Conference to Government House Adelaide, the oldest Government House in Australia.
I extend an especially warm welcome to guests who have travelled from interstate and overseas.
I’m very pleased the Philanthropy Australia National Conference has come to Adelaide, for the very first time.
Last year Rod and I hosted a reception to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Philanthropy Australia’s South Australian office and to pay tribute to the contribution philanthropists make to our State.
I spoke about how philanthropy has long been part of South Australia’s ethos and was integral to early settlement.
There is something about South Australians that gives us an impetus to identify what needs to be done, to join together and make things happen - a generosity of spirit alongside a generosity of giving. That doesn’t make us unique, but it helps, particularly when it comes to philanthropy.
As Governor, it has been heartening to observe the strong sense of community displayed by the many local organisations, service groups, not for profits, schools, families and individuals Rod and I have met.
We have engaged with a wide range of philanthropic causes and seen first-hand the impact of their work on our community.
In the past decade, the Philanthropy Australia (SA) office has been a local face for much wider effort.
It has been supported in its growth by a growing number of foundations, including James & Diana Ramsay, Nunn Dimos, Fay Fuller, Day Family and the Wyatt Trust.
I thank the SA office and its members for their work encouraging and disseminating structured giving in our community.
I have great respect for individuals and organisations working within Australia’s philanthropic operating environment, one of the most unique - and potentially challenging – in the country.
Australia has tens of thousands of registered charitable organisations, heavily reliant on discretionary giving.
In recent years, trends in giving in our country have been shifting.
According to Philanthropy Australia, structured giving across Australia is on a path of steady growth – one which it aims to harness with its ambitious goal to double structured giving by 2030.
More money is being given, but by fewer people, with an increasing focus on giving by high-net-worth individuals, corporates and, in years to come, recipients of what is being called the ‘great intergenerational wealth transfer’.
This changing landscape presents a range of challenges and opportunities to the philanthropic sector.
I have no doubt your conference sessions, centred on the theme of ‘shifting perspectives, shifting practice’ will equip you with knowledge and ideas to make the most of changing times.
While it’s great to see that high-end giving is increasing, I’m equally pleased by initiatives that give a broad range of South Australians the opportunity to participate in philanthropic giving.
In May it was Rod’s and my pleasure to host a reception to mark 10 years of Impact100 SA.
With a founding goal to bring together 100 individuals to give $1000 each, per year, to collectively determined causes, more than 300 South Australians now participate in the program.
And through the new Youth Impact 100 initiative, the value of philanthropy is being cultivated in SA from an early age.
Friends,
I thank Philanthropy Australia, and in particular the South Australian office, for its efforts to deliver the 2024 conference.
I wish you all an enjoyable and productive conference as you work to grow structured giving in Australia, for the benefit of countless worthy causes.