Selected Speeches and Messages
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NSW Humanitarian Awards
Saturday, 20 June 2020
A humane society not only looks after others, it acknowledges those who strive to make lives better. I welcome you to the 12th annual NSW Humanitarian Awards Ceremony. In Refugee Week, with this year’s theme ‘Year of Welcome’, it is poignant...
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Queen's Birthday Message
Saturday, 6 June 2020
Sixty-six years ago, Her Majesty sat here on the Arcade at Government House, with Prince Philip, my predecessor Governor Northcott, and his daughter Elizabeth, who was deputising for her mother who, sadly, had been ill for some time. It was...
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National Sorry Day and Reconciliation Week Message 2020
Tuesday, 26 May 2020
Today is the 22nd Anniversary of National Sorry Day, which followed one year after the tabling of the landmark ‘Bringing Them Home’ report in the Parliament of Australia. On this day, a day of remembrance of the Stolen Generations, we remember...
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Eid ul-Fitr Message 2020
Friday, 22 May 2020
Assalamu Alaykum As we approach Eid ul-Fitr and the end of the holy month of Ramadan, I extend my best wishes to all members of the New South Wales Muslim community. This year’s observance of Ramadan has been a very different experience...
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Welcome Remarks for the Inaugural Ideas@theHouse
Thursday, 21 May 2020
Welcome to Government House. It is a pleasure to welcome you, as Patron, to this Royal Society of New South Wales ‘webinar’. Indeed, it seems entirely appropriate as we explore our topic today with ‘zoom’ technology that the subject of this...
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ANZAC Day Commemoration Service
Saturday, 25 April 2020
I am honoured to represent the people of New South Wales on this national day of remembrance and to acknowledge the veterans, families and communities around the State who are marking ANZAC Day 2020. The ANZAC Memorial, where this ceremony...
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Coloured Digger ANZAC Day Commemorative Gathering
Saturday, 25 April 2020
On this day of commemoration, I pay my respects to Elders of this land, past, present and emerging and I especially acknowledge the Babana Aboriginal Men’s Group, the initiators of this ceremony, the first of which was held 14 years...
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ANZAC Day 2020 Message
Saturday, 18 April 2020
Gordon Short was a war time photographer, renowned for his ability to capture the ‘action and warmth’ of the moment. And so it is with this photograph, taken in Park St in the city on 15 August 1945 and which...
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Easter Message 2020
Thursday, 9 April 2020
For many, the upcoming long weekend will be unlike any other. For our common good, the “Great Australian Easter Getaway” will become the “Great Easter Stay at Home”. Gatherings of family and friends will see everyone in their own homes, connecting...
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COVID-19 Message, 5 April 2020
Sunday, 5 April 2020
After COVID-19 is over we will appreciate the great Australian outdoors more than ever. But at the moment, most of us are spending a great proportion of our time indoors and connecting remotely with our family and friends and with our...