Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister, Assistant Minister for the Public Service, Assistant Minister to the Attorney-General
Welcome and Opening
Welcome to Parliament House.
A place full of powerful representatives and ministers.
A building where Prime Ministers are chosen.
But also a place where no one can achieve anything alone.
Similarly, the Australian of the Year Awards are about outstanding individuals.
But it is not just about individuals.
These awards are also about friendship and love.
Australia has these awards as a way of showing love and pride in the people of our country.
The power of coming together
No one who stands on stage receiving an award says they did it alone.
Each of them share the spotlight.
With those they seek to support.
Those who have helped them on the journey.
And how friendship and love helped them make their nation changing contributions.
But it isn't always easy.
Richard Scolyer spoke of his early days with his now wife Katie:
"At first, I didn't think Katie had any interest in me. There was a misunderstanding when I ran into her at a supermarket near the hospital.
She thought it was a bit strange that I didn't stop and chat.
But it was just that, even in my thirties, I was still self-conscious about wearing glasses and embarrassed about how I looked after just getting out of bed."
Richard, can I say on behalf of all self-conscious men with glasses how pleased we are that you found the love of your life.
Then there is the power of friendship.
That is the story of the incredible Professor Georgina Long.
Someone who broke new ground for the medical world, and for her friend.
In the days after Richard's diagnosis she said:
"I will be there every step of this journey with all the life force I can bring, along with friends, family, colleagues"
This theme of love and friendship lives through all 65 years of these awards.
The Australian of the Year Awards started as a Victorian initiative.
Initiated by the Victorian Australia Day Council in 1960.
But like the VFL became the AFL.
And Melbourne's Kylie Ann Minogue became "Our Kylie".
These awards became awards for all of Australia.
Not just about the recipients, but about how they inspire the nation.
Inspiring the nation
We saw the friendship of the Seekers lead them to the top of the charts and become the first joint recipients of the Australian of the Year Award in 1967.
We saw mateship and bravery combine in anaesthetist Dr Richard Harris and retired vet Dr Craig Challen. Rescuing a young soccer team in Thailand.
Taryn Brumfitt helped kids (and their parents) love their bodies.
David and Judy Elliot spent countless date nights digging for dinosaurs.
And this year's wife and husband nominees Dianne and Ian Haggerty.
Dianne sums up their three-decade journey of Natural Intelligence Farming simply as this:
"Ours is a story of love and respect and gratitude."
Love of those closest to you, and of this country.
Friendship for your fellow Australians.
These two forces are part of what has made these awards so special for the last 65 years.
And you don't have to be Australian of the Year to be a good friend or love this country.
Thank you.
