00:00I'm delighted today to congratulate all those recognised in the King's Birthday Honours list.
00:06One of the great privileges of my role is to accept the recommendations made by the Council of the Order of Australia
00:12and the organisations responsible for recommending meritorious, gallantry, distinguished and conspicuous honours.
00:21And one of my greatest joys is then investing people with their honours, their awards and insignia,
00:27personally witnessing the pride, gratitude and always deep humility of the recipients and their families.
00:35These honours recognise the selfless service, integrity, achievement, creativity and care that flourish across our nation.
00:44As your Governor-General, I see the values of care, kindness and respect in the Australians who are honoured today
00:51and in those who have been recognised throughout the 50-year history of our Australian honours system.
00:56So many of the people on today's list, volunteers, police, defence, emergency services,
01:03have committed their working lives to serving others.
01:06Then there are those whose service is quieter but no less vital to our collective wellbeing.
01:12People who walk alongside those whose lives are tougher than most.
01:17People who devote their intellects to solving the long-term social, economic or environmental problems we face as a nation.
01:24People who work for justice and uphold the law.
01:29People whose creativity and artistry add immeasurably to our common life.
01:35Scientists, artists, athletes, industry leaders.
01:39Thinkers, doers, innovators, storytellers.
01:42And so, so many others who in many, many ways and from everywhere across Australia demonstrate that care, kindness and respect are not limited to time, place, status or profession.
01:54In the very first honours list in 1975, there was recognition for people who had served with courage and strength in Cyclone Tracy,
02:02which devastated Darwin the Christmas before.
02:06And ever since those first awards, our honours have reflected our prized Australian values of selflessness, ingenuity and discovery,
02:14commitment to service and compassion, both in good times and times of crisis and distress.
02:19And of course, these honours rely on others, taking the time to nominate and support the acknowledgement of these great Australians.
02:28Thank you for your thoughtfulness and the consideration of the work that goes on all around us and should deserve recognition.
