Ceremony B - King's Birthday Australian Honours & Awards Investiture

Representing the Leader of the Opposition, Member for Ninderry, Mr Daniel Purdie MP; Commander, Combat Support Group of the Royal Australian Air Force, Air Commodore Robert Graham; Representing Commander 1st Division, Australian Army, Brigadier Shane Gabriel DSC AM; Commanding Officer of the HMAS Moreton, Royal Australian Navy, Commander Rosemarie Apikotoa RAN; Representing the Queensland Police Service Commissioner, Acting Chief Superintendent Joe Jaramazovic; award recipients, your family and friends; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen; boys and girls.

I begin by acknowledging the Original Custodians of the lands around Brisbane, the Turrbal and Jagera people, and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and to any First Nations people here today.

Graeme and I welcome you to Government House this morning to honour those who have served with excellence in the Australian Defence Force or Queensland Police Service.

Bestowing these awards—granted under our unique Australian system—is not only one of the most important functions within my vice-regal role, but also one of its highlights.

It is my privilege to meet the incredible people who serve our state and country with such valour and allegiance, and today’s special Investiture ceremony enables us to take the time to pay tribute to your achievements and reflect on their positive impact.

I also welcome the family members and loved ones with you here today, because we know that the complexities and challenges of the work you do, also affects those around you, and their support is deeply appreciated.

The word duty is one often used to describe those who serve in our public institutions—but this limits the scope of such service to a sense of “obligation” or “responsibility”—efforts which are “required” or “intended” as part of your roles.

Each of you are here this morning, because you have demonstrated that you have gone far beyond the confines of “duty”, by exceeding expectations, overcoming obstacles and adversities, and demonstrating extraordinary acts and actions that will have a lasting beneficial effect.

What has struck me, from your citations, is that while you each work in unique and specific areas within the Forces, you are all motivated by the drive to strengthen the system itself.

You have expressed this by acting as exemplary leaders—not just evidenced by your expertise and technical prowess (deeply admirable though these are), but in your interactions with those around you.  As mentors, trainers, teachers, and trusted advisors, you are helping to build more connected and understanding Forces—workplaces that encourage different perspectives, and are more supportive of the next generation of military and police personnel.

For those serving in the Australian Defence Forces—you have each shown remarkable devotion to the services you represent. Regardless of whether your roles have taken you away from our shores, or you are working closer to home, your achievements at such a high level, have required tenacity, integrity and vision.

In fact, innovation is a recurring theme in your citations, as you have used your professional knowledge, mastery and wisdom not only to improve the combat capabilities of our nation’s armed forces, but to enhance the efficiencies, and processes across the many specialised areas within them. 

And for those serving in the Queensland Police Service, your exceptional efforts are reaching deeply into communities across our state, helping to keep people safe, whether the difficulties they face are brought by mother nature or by criminal activity.

As long-serving officers, you have each shown superior dedication to your roles, both on the frontlines, and in tactical positions, where you have applied your abilities to improve policing and investigative practises, with an effect that will be valuable for many years to come.     

For all of you, these awards today reflect a greater sense of purpose, and a commitment to further the qualities we hold precious as a nation, particularly those of freedom and equality.

I therefore encourage you to wear these medals and decorations with pride, so that others may be inspired to strive as you have done.

As representative of our Head of State, His Majesty King Charles III, I commend you for your endeavours, and on behalf of all Queenslanders, Graeme and I both offer you our heartfelt respect and gratitude.

Thank you.