Australians from all walks of life have been honoured in the list
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00:00Hello everyone. I'm speaking to you from Government House in Canberra on the lands of the Ngunnawal people.
00:08I pay my respects to their elders past and present and I extend that respect to any other people or families with connections to the lands of the ACT and the region.
00:17I'm delighted today to congratulate all those recognised in the King's Birthday Honours List.
00:23One of the great privileges of my role is to accept the recommendations made by the Council of the Order of Australia and the organisations responsible for recommending meritorious, gallantry, distinguished and conspicuous honours.
00:38And one of my greatest joys is then investing people with their honours, their awards and insignia, personally witnessing the pride, gratitude and always deep humility of the recipients and their families.
00:53In the investiture ceremonies here at Government House and in the State Governors' Houses, we spend time learning more about the remarkable stories of those who have been honoured and it is always moving and inspiring.
01:05These honours recognise the selfless service, integrity, achievement, creativity and care that flourish across our nation.
01:14As your Governor-General, I see the values of care, kindness and respect in the Australians who are honoured today and in those who have been recognised throughout the 50-year history of our Australian honours system.
01:27In the very first honours list, in 1975, there was recognition for people who had served with courage and strength in Cyclone Tracey, which devastated Darwin the Christmas before.
01:40And ever since those first awards, our honours have reflected our prized Australian values of selflessness, ingenuity and discovery, commitment to service and compassion, both in good times and times of crisis and distress.
01:53And of course, these honours rely on others, taking the time to nominate and support the acknowledgement of these great Australians.
02:02Thank you for your thoughtfulness and the consideration of the work that goes on all around us and should deserve recognition.
02:08So many of the people on today's list, volunteers, police, defence, emergency services, have committed their working lives to serving others.
02:19Then there are those whose service is quieter, but no less vital to our collective wellbeing.
02:25People who walk alongside those whose lives are tougher than most.
02:30People who devote their intellects to solving the long-term social, economic or environmental problems we face as a nation.
02:37People who work for justice and uphold the law.
02:42People whose creativity and artistry add immeasurably to our common life.
02:48Scientists, artists, athletes, industry leaders.
02:52Thinkers, doers, innovators, storytellers.
02:55And so, so many others who in many, many ways and from everywhere across Australia,
03:00demonstrate that care, kindness and respect are not limited to time, place, status or profession.
03:08Our national honours and awards system aims to ensure that we celebrate the breadth and diversity of Australia's modern story.
03:15I look forward to seeing that reflected more and more in future lists of recipients.
03:19Every day and all across the country, Australians are doing extraordinary things with passion, generosity, energy and resolve.
03:27To all who are being recognised in today's King's Birthday Honours list,
03:32I want to offer my congratulations and gratitude for all that you've given to Australia.
03:36And I look forward to meeting many of you at the investiture of your awards.
03:41Congratulations to you all.