Jiangsu Sister School Welcome Reception

Good morning everyone.

Let me start by acknowledging our special guests this morning.

Acknowledgements

Ms Gill Callister, Secretary, Department of Education and Training

Mr HUANG Guobin, Acting Consul General of the People’s Republic of China

Ms Helen Kapalos, Chairperson, Victorian Multicultural Commission

Mr TIAN Yiju, Standing Deputy Director of Jiangsu Education Services for International Exchange

Principals and Teachers

Students from Jiangsu and Victoria

I also acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we are gathering and pay my respects to their elders, past and present, and to any Elders with us this morning.

My husband, Judge Howard, and I welcome you to Australia, to Victoria, to Melbourne and to our beautiful Government House.

My role as Governor of Victoria sees me carry out many duties, including protecting the Constitution of the State of Victoria, representing the people of Victoria on important public occasions, congratulating people on the outstanding work they do in our community and welcoming important guests like you to our State.

One other important aspect is to represent the State of Victoria abroad. In fact, just a few weeks ago, I visited Jiangsu Province.

I understand that there is a Chinese saying, that: 'It is better to travel 10,000 miles than to read 10,000 books.'

It is a saying that is relevant to my experience in Jiangsu, just as it is relevant to your experience in Victoria. Reading about a foreign place is a good thing to do. But to spend time there is to see and to know it. And to spend time with people in another place enables you to understand them, and become fond of them.

Of course, I was already aware of the strong and important relationship between Jiangsu and Victoria. It is 37 years old – many, many times older than you students.

But now I have also seen Nanjing. I have walked on its historic wall, met and listened to your esteemed Party Secretary and Governor, visited the Nan Shi Fu Zhong High School and met the people of Nanjing who studied, worked or trained in Victoria, all of whom have strong ties with us still.

And that brings me to you, our visiting Jiangsu students. You are young. It is probably hard for you to imagine a long way into the future. But I do hope that this experience, living in Victoria, will give you lifelong memories and friendships, as well as a useful learning of language and culture.

I know that our Victorian students will, by your visit here, be equally enriched, and no doubt they are now very keen to visit Jiangsu. I recommend it!

Let me say to our visiting students that it is important for you to remember that this experience is not just about study. I am sure your teachers will join with me in saying that there is so much to see, explore and enjoy in our State. 

Make sure you visit our parks, our restaurants and cafés, and the colourful laneways of Melbourne and attractions of regional Victoria, such as the Great Ocean Road, the Penguins on Philip Island and Sovereign Hill, amongst other wonderful places.

And at this time of year, it is good to see some Australian football if you can. I am sure your friends at school will willingly suggest a team for you to follow. I suggest Essendon. Look for the colours red and black!

Thank you all again for visiting Government House today. I am looking forward to speaking with as many of you as I can a little later this morning.

It’s my pleasure now to ask Ms Gill Callister, Secretary of the Department of Education and Training to speak, to be followed by Mr TIAN Yiju, Standing Deputy Director of Jiangsu Education Services for International Exchange.

Thank you