26 January 2014

EMBARGOED UNTIL 19:00, 26 JANUARY 2014

MEDIA RELEASE
Australia Day Address 2014 by Her Excellency the Honourable Quentin Bryce AC CVO Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia

My fellow Australians, Greetings from the heart of our nation. Uluru, Anangu land. From here you can look right across our great continent, beyond the desert plains and the rolling sands. West to the shores of the Indian Ocean, far north to the Torres Strait, east to the Barrier Reef and south to Tasmanias rugged wilderness. Beyond every horizon the pounding surf repeats and rebounds the rhythm of our land. Here in early morning light, the magnificence of this glorious landscape captured in its vivid colours purple, orange, ochre. In the midst of Desert Oaks and spinifex we can feel ancient traditions and culture stretching back thousands of years. This has always been a meeting place, a place of learning, of spirituality. The wisdom and understanding of our Indigenous elders handed down, generation to generation. For all Australians to value and respect. As my time as Governor-General comes to a close, I feel a deep sense of pride in our country, what it represents, what we have achieved, our hopes for our grandchildren. I think of the courage, compassion, and resilience that I have seen again and again. Our capacity to get through tough times, and the challenges that beset us. Fires, flood, drought. I have watched the way people come together, the way communities pull together. The faces of thousands of Australians Ive met broad smiles, hands outstretched in friendship. The warmth of a touch. Each, an opening to another story of what is uniquely ours. Our identity, our diversity, our strength, our character.

I marvel at our scientists and researchers exploring solutions and insights, to benefit our world. Teachers, nurturing young lives building foundations for future prosperity. Nurses giving professional care and support to people in times of illness. Carers, tucked away in quiet corners, offering tender love and respect, day after day, to the frail and vulnerable. Volunteers - the backbone of our communities and our society. Using their time and skills for myriad worthy endeavours. Military, police and emergency services, putting themselves in harms way to protect what we value most. Ours is a generous country in wealth, in resources, in humanity. We are strong and vibrant people with a great deal to contribute to every aspect of the life of our nation. We must continue to respect and embrace each other, and look after our neighbours and neighbourhoods. We must harness the kindness in our hearts. It has been a great honour to serve in this role for five and a half years. I have shared great triumphs and joyous occasions of celebration. I have been touched deeply by the burden of a nations grief and loss. Most of all, Ive been inspired and uplifted by the stories of service, selflessness and accomplishment of our fellow Australians transforming their lives, all our lives. From remote bush towns to bustling city streets, Australians everywhere are getting on with their responsibilities at work and at home, guided by an ethic of care. My friends, on Australia Day, when we celebrate our nationhood, picnics in parks, BBQs on verandahs, citizenship ceremonies, music, concerts, we are drawn by what we see around us to reflect on what it means to be Australian. We feel a sense of gratitude, and we gear up to the year ahead with optimism and determination. My friends, happy Australia Day 2014.

Media Contact: Joe Kabalan Senior Program Adviser joe.kabalan@gg.gov.au +61 427 017 827 Government House Canberra