Speeches
Wednesday, 26 February 2025
Reception to launch the 2025 GLF Program
Rod and I warmly welcome you to Government House.
As patron of the Leaders Institute of SA, it is my pleasure to launch the 2025 Governor’s Leadership Foundation program this evening.
South Australia has a significant role to play in delivering outcomes which benefit not only our state, but which are critical to the nation.
For example, most topically, and without commenting on the politics involved, 75% of the structural steel used in the nation comes from Whyalla.
The state is a major contributor to Australia’s defence capabilities, a world leader in renewables and agriculture, and the home of the Australian Space Agency and Cyber Collaboration Centre.
What we offer goes beyond conventional state boundaries, a fact which increases the premium we have to place on our leadership capacities and capabilities.
Leadership is one of my priority areas as Governor, and I am committed to supporting our state’s established and
emerging leaders.
Current and future opportunities that we face as a state and as a nation can only be approached with bold ideas and cross-sector action, underpinned by visionary leadership.
For the past 26 years, the Governor’s Leadership Program has produced more than 800 accomplished alumni whose training has equipped them with the skills required to bolster South Australia’s future.
This is reflected in the findings of the GLF Impact report, commissioned last year by the Leaders Institute to coincide with the program’s 25th anniversary.
As a result of their GLF participation, 92 percent of the alumni surveyed felt more prepared to meet challenges in a world of escalating complexity and ambiguity.
90 percent of surveyed alumni said that they didn’t feel nervous
when faced with a work challenge because of the skills they learnt from the program.
The study also found that employers, sponsors and community organisation leaders believe someone who has completed the GLF is more likely to be adaptive and to get the best out of people.
As the 2025 participants, with dedication and hard work, I am confident you can expect similar results from your own program.
Another significant asset of the program is the sense of collegiality and support it brings to participants.
Each year at the graduation ceremony, I see abundant evidence of the strong bonds which have formed between graduates.
The GLF alumni network enables participants to form long-lasting connections across industry sectors.
This provides crucial support and advice as they continue their leadership journeys.
For the 2025 program participants, if the experience of your predecessors is any guide, you have a steep learning curve ahead.
You will be extended. There will be a transformative shift in your world view. You will gain clarity about your capabilities and become more adept at collaborative endeavours.
To maximise your contribution as a leader, you will need to have a vision, to consider a diversity of perspectives, and to be authentic.
I have always appreciated speaking with GLF participants during the program and learning of their aspirations and achievements.
I also love meeting GLFers in my daily work. It happens more often than you would think!
And the most common thing they say? ‘This program changed my life.’
Friends,
The GLF Program would not be possible without the work of the Leaders Institute of South Australia and its supporters, and I thank all of these people for their commitment to this important initiative.
In addition, I thank the partners, family members and friends of those who have been accepted into this year’s program. The support you give will make a huge difference.
To our GLF participants, congratulations on your acceptance to the program.
I wish you all the very best for your studies and look forward to welcoming you back to Government House in the middle of the year.
Make the most of this opportunity, and the rewards will come back to you two-fold - enhancing your career as well as the leadership capacity of our state.