The Hon. H.J. GUMBYS (16:28): I rise to support the motion recognising the distinguished service of the Honourable Frances Adamson AC and thanking her and Mr Rod Bunten for their contribution to South Australia. Ms Adamson came to Government House after a career spent representing Australia and advancing its interests abroad. She brought with her the experience of difficult negotiations, demanding responsibilities and relationships built over many years. Throughout her service, she placed that experience at the disposal of South Australians, while taking a close interest in the lives and work of the people she represented.
In 2016, she became the first woman appointed Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, following her service as Australia's Ambassador to China. Her appointment was a significant achievement and she used her leadership to improve opportunities for others. She took direct responsibility for implementing the department's Women in Leadership Strategy, supporting flexible work, addressing barriers to advancement, and encouraging greater representation of women in senior roles. The department received the Australian Public Service Gender Equality Award in 2017. As someone who has represented workers, I value that willingness to examine workplace practices and take responsibility for making them fairer.
Her leadership was also tested during COVID-19, when the department undertook the largest consular operation in its history. That work required sustained support for Australians overseas and for the staff assisting them through extraordinary circumstances. She returned to South Australia with a substantial record of service and continued to put her knowledge and relationships to work through international engagement, trade missions and support for our education sector. For South Australian businesses and the workers whose livelihoods depend upon them, those connections are important.
I particularly appreciated the respect she showed for vocational education. As a former machinist and fitter, I know the skill, discipline and judgement that trades require. I also know how much it matters for young people entering those professions to see their choice valued. Ms Adamson gave that recognition willingly. As patron of the Apprentice Employment Network in South Australia, she supported the sector and encouraged young people to consider vocational pathways. In welcoming the National Apprentice Employment Network to Government House in 2024, she acknowledged the importance of mentoring and support in helping apprentices complete their training.
Her interest extended to the experience of the apprentice and the work required to turn an opportunity into a qualification. Early in her tenure, she hosted the inaugural TAFE SA Honour Awards and spoke about two of her own children choosing TAFE. She understood the opportunities those qualifications had provided, and spoke with respect about the achievements of graduates. Coming from someone with such a distinguished international career, that endorsement carried great weight. It gave skilled work a welcome place among the achievements celebrated at Government House.
That same willingness to recognise people's contributions was evident in her commitment to multicultural South Australia. As the son of a migrant and a refugee, I have a particular appreciation for the work of building a life here and contributing to a new community. Through the Governor's Multicultural Awards, she acknowledged people and organisations helping others participate, connect and belong. Her introduction of a Regional Achievement Award in March this year extended that recognition to the important work taking place beyond Adelaide. She also spoke clearly about the leadership and care required to sustain multiculturalism, particularly when community understanding is tested. Her support gave encouragement to those undertaking that work.
Across her school visits and community engagements, she and Mr Rod Bunten brought a similar attentiveness to young South Australians. Their sustained visits to public, independent and Catholic high schools gave students opportunities to discuss their ambitions and the issues that mattered to them. Her involvement in developing the Active Citizenship Convention for year 10 students reflected her confidence in their capacity to contribute to public life. Mr Bunten shared generously in that commitment, bringing his experience as a teacher to their engagements with schools and helping make Government House welcoming to children and families.
These contributions leave a fitting legacy: an office made approachable, achievements given recognition, and people encouraged in their aspirations. I value and hold dear each and every interaction I had with Ms Adamson, at whatever the occasion may have been. But I will never forget when I was received at Government House early in my term and Her Excellency recalled passages from my maiden speech that she had remembered and found notable and interesting.
For those she met, the memory of her attention and encouragement will endure well beyond her term. We sincerely thank Ms Frances Adamson and Mr Rod Bunten for serving South Australia with dignity, generosity and care, and wish them every happiness in the years ahead. I commend the motion.