Speeches

Monday, 16 December 2024

Reception to acknowledge the Year 12 Schooling Achievements of Young People under Guardianship

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Rod and I welcome you to Government House to celebrate your completion of Year 12 this year.

The ballroom we are standing in has been here for about 170 years and in that time, many, many people have come here to celebrate their achievement or milestones.

Look down and you can still see the marks on the wooden floor from the heels of those who have been here before.

And now you stand here. Today we celebrate you because you are making your own mark in a different way.

Be enormously proud that you have now finished Year 12 and know that everyone is proud of you.

Finishing Year 12 is an important time of your lives because an education is a solid building block to your future.

I know it hasn’t always been easy, you may have struggled at times, but you have studied hard and overcome challenges. Congratulations!

Some of you may have plans for next year, some may still be working out what your future holds.

I was in a similar position when I left high school. I knew I wanted to go to the University of Adelaide but had no idea back then that a career as an Australian diplomat and eventually as Governor was in my future.

And let me tell you, it wasn’t always smooth sailing.

In fact, my diplomatic career started with a big disappointment.

I had studied French at school and had an Economics degree from Adelaide University and had my heart set on being appointed to the Australian Mission to the OECD in Paris.

But it didn’t happen. Naturally, I was very disappointed, but the experience made me pick myself up and become just a little more resilient.

And when I look back, if I had gone to Paris, I might not have become Ambassador to China later in my career.

Then, when Rod and I started a family, I had poor prospects of being able to resume my career. I took a part-time role in a different area of work and hung in there. Before long, things started to happen.

Then, some years later, my career seemed not to be progressing and I found myself at the same public service level for over 10 years. I just kept doing the best I could in job after job until promotion eventually came and I was given a role I absolutely loved.

I share these experiences with you to show that life isn’t always smooth or an upward pathway and that obstacles can be valuable learning experiences.

If, as I know many of you already have, you show determination and are prepared to be flexible, rethink if things aren’t going to plan, and navigate the twists and turns of the road, you will do well.

You have been learning all your life, and as you go forward, I hope you will stay connected and contribute fully to your communities.

Because you have a lot to offer.

I thank everyone who has supported you throughout your schooling and ensured you reached this significant milestone.

I am looking forward to presenting you with Certificates of Achievement and wish you all well for the future.

Well done!