Young Whyalla musicians Blake Brougham and Maria Alboino with Her Excellency, provided entertainment for the evening. Photo courtesy Government House Adelaide.
A message from the Mayor: Government House milestone night
21 June 2024
“The City of Whyalla is vital to South Australia’s economic and social fabric, driving growth and development across multiple sectors.”
With those words on Thursday, June 13, Her Excellency, the Honourable Frances Adamson, AC, Governor of South Australia, hosted a State dinner in Government House to acknowledge and celebrate Whyalla’s significant impact on South Australia.
It was attended by an enthusiastic audience of around 70 Members of Parliament, including the Honourable Peter Malinauskas, Premier of South Australia, State business and civic leaders, City of Whyalla Council representatives, and Whyalla business, community and youth representatives. Entertainment was provided by young Whyalla musicians Blake Brougham and Maria Alboino.
The State Dinner idea was first born by the Governor herself during a visit early in her appointment. Her Excellency was impressed by the future potential for our city considering our long history and more recent economic issues, and very importantly the community’s passion and determination to evolve again into a flourishing city.
Whyalla is indebted to Her Excellency for convening and hosting the dinner, and for that we sincerely thank her. We look forward to the potential collective impact that the event will have on future discussions with government, developers and investors. We understand the event was the first time Government House has hosted a State Dinner for a regional city.
As Whyalla’s most recently developed Community Plan states – created by the community, for the community – “We embrace opportunity, we thrive together, we lead the way.” We had a combined voice of our city at Government House to share our future vision. We have a community preparing itself for the biggest transformation since the building of the steelworks’ long-products plant back in the Sixties thanks to the State’s Prosperity Projects.
As a force within the Upper Spencer Gulf Cities Group and the Eyre Peninsula Local Government Association, I firmly believe the new Whyalla story will not just be for Whyalla, the State, or the nation, but also as a worldwide powerhouse changing the future.
We already have a building revival underway, our aged care provider has received more than $17million towards upgrading and extending facilities, UniSA continues to lead the way with new degree courses, re-introduction of birthing services at our hospital are very close, and civil works at the hydrogen site will be happening before Christmas.
Yes, we have many challenges ahead, and as a result of the State Dinner, Council will further engage and work with government and developers to address issues like our airport, housing, essential services, aging infrastructure and social initiatives.
Mayor Phill Stone, right, is pictured at the State dinner with Premier Peter Malinauskas; Her Excellency, the Honourable Frances Adamson, AC, Governor of South Australia; and other representatives from Whyalla and the State Government. Photo courtesy Government House Adelaide.