Speeches
Sunday, 07 April 2024
Trinity College Open Day
Rod and I are pleased to join you this morning to celebrate 40 years of Trinity College.
It’s been a busy time for Trinity, with the launch of your new Roseworthy campus, and now a whole-school Open Day – the largest I have ever attended!
As Governor I am committed to supporting South Australian young people in every way I can.
It’s been my pleasure to host Trinity College School Captains as guests at a Government House reception for South Australian school leaders in previous years, and I look forward to seeing your current leaders at Government House later this year.
As patron of Debating SA, I know Trinity students have taken part in this debating competition for many years – an excellent way to develop leadership and communications skills.
In February at Government House we hosted the SACE Merit Ceremonies, so let me once again congratulate the Trinity graduates who attended to receive their merit certificates, as well as a Governor’s Commendation award.
Now, in April, the 2024 school year is well underway.
Year 12 students may have already decided what you’d like to do next year and be working towards gaining entry into a course at university or TAFE.
Or, you may still be questioning what you’d like for your future.
When I left school, I thought Law would be a good thing to do but found it wasn’t for me and settled instead on Economics at the University of Adelaide.
Sometimes it takes a while to find that combination of what you love and are good at. In my experience it’s worth persevering until you do.
This led me to a career after graduation in foreign affairs, eventually becoming the first female Australian Ambassador to China and subsequently the first female head of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, after which I returned to South Australia to become Governor.
None of this was even remotely in my mind when I was young.
I share this with you to show that no-one knows exactly where their life’s journey will take them. Hopes and dreams change. The journey has many twists and the road can sometimes make an unexpected turn.
I have learned through life that resilience, the ability to learn from times when things don’t go as you would like, and a willingness to say ‘yes’ to new opportunities, are more important than trying to plan out your future perfectly.
There have been times when my Christian faith has sustained me as I hope it will you, too.
Students,
Trinity College has a long history of empowering its students and producing confident, compassionate young people who go on to become community leaders.
I am also pleased to see the focus Trinity places on social justice and service, both learning about issues and taking action, in the school community and beyond – as do Anglican schools across our state.
From local activities like cleaning up the cemetery or visiting an aged care home, to Trinity on Country, where students visit the APY Lands, or even international activities, like your annual service trip to Cambodia, Trinity provides plenty of opportunities to make a difference.
I encourage you to pursue opportunities for service at school, and in your lives beyond.
A well-functioning democracy requires all of our society, including young people, to be involved as active, informed citizens. Diversity of participation is what helps make such a system strong.
And by the way, service is one of the main paths by which adult South Australians are invited to Government House, as well! I look forward to seeing you there in the years to come.
The Governor’s Civics Awards are presented annually and encourage students to deepen their understanding of the privileges and responsibilities of citizenship, as well as to be active citizens in service to their communities.
We’d love to see some entries from Trinity this year – teachers can find out more on the Education Department or Government House websites.
Staff, thank you for all that you do to assist your students, both academically and in their broader lives, including their spiritual lives.
Thank you also to the families, caregivers and friends who offer students the moral and practical support they need to thrive.
Students, I wish you the very best as you continue your schooling.
I encourage you to keep looking for ways to support your peers, pursue your goals and make a difference to your communities.
In doing so, you can contribute not only to your own success, but the success of our community, our state, our country and our world.
Happy 40th anniversary Trinity College!