Monday, 12 January 2026
Government House
Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC

Bujari gamarruwa, Hello 

As Patron of the Sydney Festival, together with Dennis, I greet you, friends, or “gamarada” in the language of the Gadigal, the Traditional Owners of this land and nearby waters. I pay my respects to their Elders past, present and emerging and to Elders of all lands of visiting artists and performers – both here and overseas. 

·       Kate Dundas, Chair, and Board members of the Sydney Festival;

·       Christopher Tooher, Chief Executive Officer;

·       Kris Nelson, Festival Director; and

·       Festival Donors

Tonight is an important night for the Festival as it gives us the opportunity here at Government House to recognise and acknowledge you, as the performers and directors, stagehands, sound and lighting technicians, support staff and everyone who, to turn a phrase on its head, allow us mere mortals to luxuriate in the lap of creativity during these 18 days of sustained energy and entertainment. Indeed, ‘energy’ hardly captures the opening performance of the Festival last Thursday night with Post-Orientalist Express and I wait in anticipation to see Mama Does Derby.  

The Sydney Festival not only brings, literally, a whole world of arts and theatre to Sydney, it also puts this unique land of ours and its stories on the world stage. On Friday and Saturday night, Garibari which means ‘corroboree’ in the Wiradjuri language,[1] brought us the story of the creation of the Murrumbidgee River in dance and music and what was described in one 5-star critic’s rating as “fine arts, cultural sharing and sociopolitical reconciliation wrapped in an ingeniously accessible, all round good-vibes package”.[2] I couldn’t have put it better myself, although at times I thought I was engaging in an over 50’s mosh pit!      

Garabari is part of the Blak Out program of the Festival, which originated under the direction of the brilliant Wesley Enoch. As Yorta Yorta soprano and composer Deborah Cheetham Fraillon once said in an interview: “the Arts are a way of strengthening identity, of understanding who we are on this continent of many nations.”[3]

Over the last five years, Sydney Festival’s Creative Artist in Residence Jake Nash has continued to shape the Blak Out program in ways which speak to the whole Festival. Jake, Thank you. You are a creative genius in your own right as well as in curating the works of First Nations artists that bring us the stories that are so critical to our maturing as a nation.  

In addition to Garabari, you have brought us Garrigarrang Badu.[4]  In theatre, there are the powerful stories of fathers to son in Dear Son at Belvoir as well as in Redfern Renaissance and, of course, the Vigil, on the eve of Australia Day. Best wishes as you continue your creative journey and thank you for continuing the work of bringing powerful First Nations stories to Festival audiences and beyond.[5]

This year’s Festival, Kris Nelson’s first, is an embrace of cabaret, community and connection, marking the Sydney Festival’s 50th year.  Indeed, one could say that the Festival’s Golden Age has arrived. Curating and directing an international festival of this scale is no mean feat, and it’s been inspiring, Kris, to see your artistic vision as new Festival Director come to life.    

Sydney Festival is renowned for presenting artistic work of the highest calibre. This year, over 650 amazing artists (and counting!), bring us outstanding works from 13 nations, 16 world premieres and 10 free events.   

Sydney Festival continues because of its strong partnerships - across government, business, and the community. A warm thank you to Festival partners and donors, including Principal Philanthropic Partner Peter Freedman. Your generosity and your investment strengthen the Festival, our city and the artistic vitality and livelihoods of performers. 

Thank you, too, to members of the Sydney Festival board for your leadership, and your commitment to nurturing our vibrant arts community and this Festival’s artistic ambition.  

To everyone here: artists, creatives, collaborators, and crew, you are the heartbeat of the Sydney Festival. You enable it to be - and to bring – something totally new and different in our city. Thank you for sharing your talent and your vision. Now more than ever, after the tragedy that hit our city one month ago, we need your local and international stories that are bright, that are bold; that make us dance, sing and listen; and, most importantly, that inspire community and empathy.  

Please join me in a toast to Sydney Festival’s ‘Golden Year’!