Wednesday, 12 August 2026
Government House Sydney
Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC

Thank you, David.^[1]

Bujari Gamarruwa Diyn Babana, Gamarada Gadigal Ngura

In greeting you in the language of the Gadigal, Traditional Owners of these lands and waterways, I pay my respects to their Elders past, present, and emerging. I extend that respect to the Elders of all parts of our country from which you have travelled today.

Premier,^[2] Parliamentarians,^[3] Senior representatives of our Defence Force,^[4] Consular representatives from Indonesia, Korea, and Vietnam.^[5]

Welcome to the many familiar faces and to those for whom today is the first occasion you have been to Government House, and more particularly the Premier’s Annual Veteran’s Reception.

This year, in honouring your service in the Indo-Pacific conflicts following the Second World War, also marks the 60th Anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan.

The date of that battle, the 18th of August, has been appropriately chosen as Vietnam Veteran’s Day.

This week we were honoured to host the President of Vietnam at Government House at a State Dinner.

His visit, and with Vietnam Veteran’s Day approach, caused me to read more deeply into the history of Vietnam more generally and on some aspects of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War.

Many of you here today, lived that involvement. 

What struck me, and continues to strike me, was your courage – not only in the height of the battles – some of which were defining – but so often out on patrol – as well as in camp with the enemy hovering – usually unknowingly and only short distances away.

Then there is your courage in withstanding the negativity you faced on your return, and in maintaining your dignity and camaraderie in the years since.

It is a courage shared by all who were involved in the engagements we commemorate today.

In short, you faced an uncertain enemy – one much more professionally trained and over a much longer period than you – in ways I had not necessarily fully appreciated previously… fighting in terrain with which they were familiar and you were not… and using tactics unfamiliar to those in a traditionally trained army.

Your everyday courage is not often spoken about, but it is that which I would like to honour today.

The Premier, I know, will speak more about Long Tan and your service.  

For me… service starts with doing well what you do every day – whether in those engagements, in continued military service, or in your civilian and family lives.  

We are the lucky country to have had and to continue to have your service.

Thank you.