Speeches
Saturday, 07 June 2025
Order of Australia Association SA Branch King’s Birthday Luncheon
Rod and I, as branch patron, are delighted to join you for the King’s Birthday luncheon.
I particularly acknowledge those who are new members of the Association here today.
As recipients of Australian Honours, I thank you all for your commitment and service to our nation.
I know you don’t seek such public recognition, but the honours system allows us to demonstrate our heartfelt appreciation for your contributions.
Your endeavours are important in shaping who we are as a nation and a demonstration of that which we value.
When I addressed the association, two years ago to mark the King’s Birthday and Coronation Luncheon, I mentioned that at Government House Rod and I, along with members of the public, had planted a stand of wattle trees to commemorate His Majesty’s ascension to the throne.
His Majesty was delighted – indeed enthusiastic - to learn of our plans to mark the Coronation in this way when I had the privilege of speaking to him in London on the eve of the ceremony.
I’m now pleased to report that the wattles are thriving and some stand well over head height - testament to their symbolism of the resilience of the Australian spirit.
As you know, the wattle connects us with the Australian Honors System with the round yellow flower depicted against the blue of the medal’s ribbon.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Australian Honours system and I am looking forward to the announcement of the King’s Birthday Honours List on Monday.
Such an anniversary also prompts us to ask who were among the first South Australians to receive an Honour.
South Australia’s first six recipients give a flavour of the meaning behind the honours.
Among them were Peter Lehmann for his contribution to the wine industry, one of our enormous success stories.
Deaconess Eva Bonython received an OAM for her work with the Kate Cocks Memorial Babies’ Home where she served as superintendent.
Dorothea Shanks received an OAM for her work as a nurse/doctor in Kingoonya in the Far North, a town which is now nearly abandoned - population four - but I’m told by one of my staff that is has a particularly good pub.
Noel Roscrow received an OAM for his contributions to optical exports. He supplied sunglasses to astronauts and was given a piece of Apollo 17 and a piece of the moon by NASA. He was also the first and longest serving Chairman of the Bay to Birdwood.
Since then, there have been many more stories among the more than 500,000 recipients of Australian Honours.
To mark the 50th anniversary we have mounted a display in the library at Government House, of all the various medals, and our website invites everyone to share their experiences of what Australian Honours meant to them or what it means to others.
I hope you will contribute because our stories inspire us, our stories engender pride, our stories share what we hold dear and they may even encourage the nomination of more worthy South Australians.
More widely, there has been a national issue of commemorative coins and stamps.
Friends
The Australian Honors system hasn’t been without its controversies:
The States were initially wary of what was deemed greater national control and the imperial system ran in parallel for some years.
We doubtless all remember the outcry when then Prime Minister Tony Abbott announced the then Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip, would receive an honour.
And when each new Australian Honours list is announced, the mainstream media often highlight the well-known, the politicians and the celebrities alongside those who are only well known amongst their immediate communities and families.
But throughout the Honors list, we can discover the unsung heroes, the people who make our society one that is caring, kind and proud.
I am thinking of the urologist Dr Samatha Pillay who is not only breaking ground in her profession despite her own health issues but is also writing books and documentaries to empower young women.
I am thinking of Peter Squires, now in his 90s who for decades has lovingly developed Old Tailem Town historical village to give everyone – especially young children – a taste of pioneer life long before the internet and electronic gadgets garnered our attention.
I am thinking of David Botting who has made a lasting impact on agriculture and the Millicent community.
I am thinking of the police, the ambulance drivers, the public servants, the emergency service personnel, the fire fighters, the correctional services officers who are now also recognised.
I am thinking of each of you.
Of course, there are many more stories highlighting Australians we have recognised through the Order of Australia. I believe we should share them more widely than on the Kings Birthday and on Australia Day.
As you know, the Australian Honours system was an initiative of the Whitlam Government; part of the push for what the then Prime Minister described as “contemporary relevance” – of Australia becoming a confident, independent nation.
I believe it has done that well and stood the test of time.
The Australian Honours system does indeed reflect our nation’s values and aspirations by recognising those who contribute significantly to it.
The 50th anniversary provides a suitable juncture for us to consider how we can better reflect the diversity of modern Australia – and more equitably honour all genders, our First Nations people, our multicultural leaders, our youth and those living with disabilities.
One of the strengths of the system is that anyone can nominate a worthy recipient, and the conferring of an award is based on merit and not patronage.
Sometimes after the announcements of the Honours List, there is a vocal and strident citizens jury who believe the list is skewed and there should be more community recipients.
My message is simple: if there is someone who has given of themselves to improve our community, please nominate them.
Don’t sit back and wait for someone else to do so. And please don’t wait too long. Because in each investiture week I sadly, present a three or four medals posthumously to family members.
In that regard, I congratulate the Association for its stewardship of the Student Citizenship Awards because young people have much to offer in terms of ideas and skills in which to shape our society.
Rod and I notice that when visiting schools and youth organisations across the State. Our young people are active participants in their local communities and have pride in what they do.
Many of them are engaged citizens who feel they belong want to strengthen their engagement with their community, and we are better off for it.
Your Association also provides strength not only in fellowship, but in also sharing expertise and encouraging others to – as the theme of the 2025 national conference attested – celebrate, motivate, and nominate.
In that way you can indeed help look out for the next generation of recipients.
Friends.
Author Karen Fox in her meticulously researched book Honouring a Nation: A History of Australia’s Honours System eloquently concludes with an observation of why the honours system is important.
And I quote at length:
It is, at heart, the nation’s opportunity to say that some things are worth celebrating – our love and concern for our neighbours, expressed in many and varied ways, be it through voluntary work or life-saving medical research, through dedication to our work and the community in the best traditions of public service, or through the creation of beautiful artworks to inspire and uplift.
In an era of great negativity and difficulty, of economic tribulation and “haters” on social media, or disposable celebrities whose physical forms are admired above their hearts, or self-aggrandising politics and me-above-others pursuit of wealth and fame, this is surely a valuable thing.
We should treasure it, and guard it, and make it our own, nominating and recognising those who inspire us and give us hope, wherever they are found.
And that friends, is why we should seek to nominate and honour those who deserve our thanks.
Because in that way we nurture and foster the kind of nation that we want it to be.
Thank you for your role in making it so.