I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet and I pay my respects to their elders past, present and emerging.
Friends, how special it is to come together like this on the eve of Australia Day.
As we take up our anthem's invitation to rejoice, we take the opportunity to reflect, and to celebrate the modern nation we are so privileged to call home.
To contemplate all that our nation is - and all that it can yet become.
A nation that is not an accident, or the mere jackpot of good luck.
All that Australia has become is the work of generations.
Sometimes with resilience in the face of adversity - yet facing the tough times with humour, tenacity, and big, generous hearts.
On Australia Day, we think of every Australian who has put on the uniform and served in our name.
Every farmer who has faced a land sometimes short of forgiveness, yet stepped on to it with determination.
Everyone who has stood by friend and stranger alike in hard times.
Every Australian who has, through their own hard work, perseverance, energy and talent, added to who we are.
Among them are the generations of migrants who looked to Australia - in all its possibility and all its wonder - and saw themselves making a life here for their family.
The story of Australia is not a simple one. There are so many strands that intertwine to create a powerful whole.
We are a modern nation on an ancient continent. A vibrant, modern society the home of oldest continuous culture on earth, a home nurtured by Aboriginal and Torres Islander people for 60,000 years.
Ours is a land with a natural heritage unlike anywhere else on the planet.
A land of so many contrasting physical environments with so many contrasting beauties - sometimes gentle, sometimes spectacular, sometimes harsh, but always proudly and recognisably ours.
We are a young nation, yet an old democracy.
We are grateful for what we have, but we do not take what we have for granted.
Nor do we settle for things as they are, because Australians have always found ways to do things better, to make our country better.
It is that spirit that drives us as we look ahead and set about building the future.
For what burns in our hearts as brightly as our compassion, fairness and generosity is our ambition, our curiosity, and our courage.
That's the spirit we see embodied by every Australian of the Year, and by every Australian who has ever been nominated.
Every nominee who is here tonight is already an extraordinary part of the Australian story.
I want all of us to thank the class of 2024:
Local Hero, David Elliott.
Young Australian of the Year, Emma McKeon.
Senior Australian of the Year, Yalmay Yunupingu.
And, of course, our 2024 Australians of the Year, Professor Georgina Long and Professor Richard Scolyer.
We see in you so much of what is best in the Australian character.
And as we celebrate you, we keep seeking out those who show us those qualities and values through the power of their example.
That's what we see in all of tonight's nominees.
It was my great privilege as Prime Minister to host you at The Lodge this morning with Jodie.
And I was once again reminded of that powerful truth - that of all Australia's extraordinary resources, none is greater than our people.
Tonight, we celebrate some of our finest.
