Our student leaders have met with one of the state's most influential figures to discuss the future of leadership and democracy.

This week the college had the distinct honour of welcoming Her Excellency, the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, Governor of South Australia, to our beautiful EcoSanctuary. 

This special visit provided an invaluable opportunity for our middle and senior college captains to engage in a meaningful dialogue with a highly distinguished state leader.

Our college captains participated in a thought-provoking discussion with Her Excellency that traversed a wide-range of pertinent topics, including sustainability, multiculturalism, women in leadership and the vital role of young voices in shaping the future. 

Her Excellency shared insights from her own leadership journey—including her time as the first female captain of the University of Adelaide Boat Club—emphasising that making a difference isn’t about being the best—it’s about showing up and being a consistent and steadfast voice for the causes that matter.

Her Excellency also undertook one of the Kaurna walking trails within our EcoSanctuary, gaining a firsthand look at the college’s sustainability initiatives and rewilding programs. 

This visit was more than just a conversation—it was an inspiring exchange of ideas and passions.

The college is deeply grateful to Her Excellency for taking the time to connect with our students, explore our grounds and enjoy the delicious culinary creations prepared by our talented Food Technology students. 

Her Excellency’s statewide tour of South Australian schools highlights her dedication to empowering the next generation of changemakers, and the college is proud to have been part of this important initiative.

Reflections from our college captains:

“I really enjoyed the opportunity to speak with Her Excellency about her personal and leadership growth. I found her experiences at the University of Adelaide Boat Club to be especially meaningful. I also liked how she emphasised that you don’t have to be the best at something to be a leader.” – Jess

“Her Excellency highlighted the importance of reflecting on our growth and the path we take as leaders. She suggested writing about how we currently see ourselves as leaders and revisiting this at the end of the year to reflect on how far we’ve come. This resonated with me, and I will now consider writing something for future college captains, documenting our experiences to help them in their leadership journey.” – Travis

“Meeting Her Excellency was so profound for me because she was just so open and knowledgeable about so many different topics. She genuinely cared about us, was interested in what we had to say, and was willing to share her experiences. It was an eye-opening experience, and I am so grateful for the time she gave to come and visit.” – Henry

“Meeting Her Excellency was an incredibly enriching experience. I learned so much from her insights, particularly about the complexities of leadership. Her deep knowledge and wisdom were truly inspiring, and it was an honour to engage in such a meaningful conversation. I left the meeting with a greater understanding of how to be a better leader.” – Ella

About the Governor of South Australia:

Her Excellency, the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, is the 36th Governor of South Australia and the representative of His Majesty King Charles III, South Australia's Head of State. 

Born and raised in South Australia, she studied economics at the University of Adelaide, where she became the first female captain of the university’s boat club in its 103-year history.

Her Excellency joined the Commonwealth Department of Foreign Affairs in 1985, serving in Hong Kong during China’s early reforms, heading the Australian Commerce and Industry Office in Taipei and later serving as Australia’s Ambassador to China. 

She also had two postings in the Australian High Commission in London. 

In 2016, she was appointed head of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, leading Australia’s international interests during a period of significant global change, including the COVID-19 pandemic.