00:00Hello everyone, I'm speaking to you today from Government House in Canberra on Ngunnawal land.
00:07As Governor General and Chancellor of the Order of Australia, I am delighted to announce and
00:12congratulate the remarkable Australians receiving honours in the 2026 King's Birthday List.
00:19And I want to thank the Council of the Order for their work across the year. They consider
00:25and then recommend to me these lists. Our honours system recognises outstanding people
00:31who contribute so much to Australia. In our communities, in workplaces and across the country,
00:38recipients have made an exceptional contribution to Australia. And just like those honoured across
00:44the past 50 years, the service and achievement of those we honour today, whether in the community
00:50and public service, industry and academia, science, the arts and sport, they all help shape our nation.
00:57The work of our award recipients and the contributions of the thousands of Australians
01:02who have been recognised throughout the history of our honours system is something we can take
01:07great pride in celebrating. As Governor General, I have the unique privilege to see and understand
01:13Australia on a panoramic scale, and then in the fine-grained life of communities across the nation.
01:20Now our national honours and award system should always reflect the breadth of our national life
01:25and community. It should uplift and empower us through unity that's not defined by uniformity,
01:31but a celebration of difference, diversity, connection and community. And it all starts with a nomination
01:38by someone in our communities. We all know someone who performs selfless acts every day with deep
01:44commitment and care for people, for our institutions, our environment and for our future. Artists, educators,
01:51scientists, volunteers, nurses, carers and so many others who you know and admire. In releasing today's
01:59list, I want to encourage you to celebrate their work and leadership by thinking about nominating them
02:03for an honour. Every Australian, regardless of their gender, social, cultural or economic background,
02:11should be able to look at the honours list and see themselves. I want to congratulate everyone honoured
02:18in the 2026 King's Birthday List and thank you for all that you have done and continue to do to
02:24make us
02:25a stronger country. And I always want to thank those who nominated you. I look forward to meeting so many
02:31of you across the country in the years ahead.
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