Farewell Reception for The British High Commissioner to Australia

Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training, the Honourable Ros Bates MP; Minister for Women and Women's Economic Security, Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, and Minister for Multiculturalism, the Honourable Fiona Simpson MP; British High Commissioner to Australia, Her Excellency Mrs Vicki Treadell CMG MVO; British Deputy High Commissioner to Australia, Mr Nick Crouch; British Consul General, Queensland and Northern Territory, Mr Richard Cowin MBE, British Deputy Consul General, Ms Lucy Monaghan, Dean and members of the Consular Corps; Councillor for Jamboree Ward, Councillor Sarah Hutton; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen. 

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 this evening.

Graeme and I are delighted to welcome you to Government House, as we pay tribute to the contributions of the British High Commissioner to Australia, Her Excellency Mrs Vicki Treadell—who is leaving this post after almost six years.

While farewells are not a rarity in the consular world, it is always difficult to say goodbye. Tonight’s reception enables us to celebrate Her Excellency’s time here, and the valuable impact she has had on her country and ours.

It is timely that I take this opportunity to also acknowledge, with immense gratitude, Ms Lucy Monaghan, who is soon finishing her term as Deputy Consul-General for Queensland and the Northern Territory, and I wish her well in the future.

It is interesting to note that the Consulate-General in Brisbane was re-established in Her Excellency’s first year in Canberra, and completed a renewed diplomatic network across the country.

The role of High Commissioner is a complex one, promoting the interests of one Commonwealth country in another, forging stronger trade and commercial ties, and at the same time assisting citizens who can face incredible difficulties in their host country.

Add to this, a backdrop of a fast-paced, ever-changing world, where events felt in one place can have significant repercussions around the globe, and it could be said that this role is definitely not for the faint-hearted.

Yet, I know that Her Excellency, while in Australia, and in previous postings in Malaysia, New Zealand, Samoa, and Mumbai, has experienced much during her career—of both a tragically dramatic and joyfully uplifting nature—and she has been well equipped to tackle the vagaries of people and planet, with professionalism and compassion.

She is a champion for the benefits of multiculturalism and diversity—for embracing our varying cultural backgrounds and different perspectives to ensure fairer, and far richer communities.

She places tremendous importance on the values that uphold justice and democracy, and the vital strength that can be forged when we build collaborative, respectful partnerships.

She has spoken of Britain as being a “force for good” and I know this echoes how we, as Australians, view our own country’s effect on the international stage.

The influence of our historical ties to Britain, underpin a relationship that today has evolved into a unique and highly important connection that honours tradition, yet embraces the opportunities of the present.

I thank Her Excellency for furthering these bonds, with unwavering dedication.

Wherever she finds herself in the future, I know she will continue to represent her country with love, pride and honour.

Thank you.