The independent Australian Bravery Decorations Council has made recommendations to the Governor-General who has announced 24 Australian Bravery Decorations to recognise the courage of 37 people.
00:00Hello, I'm speaking to you today from Government House in Yarralumla in Canberra, on the lands of the Ngunnawal people, where I pay my respects to Elders past and present.
00:12On National Wattle Day, I am proud to congratulate the most recent recipients of Australian Bravery decorations.
00:19In the 50 years of the Australian Honours System, this is the first Bravery List to be released on Wattle Day, one of Australia's important days of celebration.
00:31When my predecessor, Bill Hayden, was Governor-General, he proclaimed the 1st of September as National Wattle Day and began a tradition of celebration we have followed here at Government House for more than 30 years.
00:43The Golden Wattle is Australia's national floral emblem, and together with the Crown, it is part of the Governor-General's insignia.
00:52From my swearing-in ceremony last year to the opening of the 48th Parliament most recently, my team and I have worn sprigs of the Golden Wattle.
01:01And visitors to Government House are welcomed by Sir William Dargy's portrait of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, fondly called the Wattle Queen, and two of Ellis Rowan's beautiful wattle paintings.
01:13So I'm delighted that in 2025, the Australian Bravery Decorations Council has determined that Wattle Day is a special moment to recognise and celebrate the bravery of 37 individual Australians.
01:26A time to reflect on the qualities of resilience, courage, care, kindness and respect, all intrinsic to the recipients of Australian Bravery Decorations.
01:36In putting themselves in danger to protect the lives or property of others, recipients of these Bravery Decorations demonstrate the importance of the bonds we share in our communities as friends and family, schoolmates and colleagues, neighbours and acquaintances and often strangers.
01:54I acknowledge that in some cases, bravery decorations are awarded posthumously and that this day is one of deep emotion for the families of those who lost their lives while performing an act of great courage.
02:07As you mourn them today and always, you have our thoughts, gratitude and respect.
02:13The exceptional people we honour today answered a call to defend and protect with unforeseen courage.
02:20Through their actions, they tell us that we all matter and that all our lives are precious.
02:24In awarding these Australian Bravery Decorations, we deeply thank and pay respect to these remarkable, brave Australians, who will always have our enduring gratitude and admiration.
02:37On behalf of all Australians, thank you for your humanity, compassion and your bravery and congratulations on receiving the 2025 Australian Bravery Decorations.
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