Speeches

Friday, 21 November 2025

Woomera Stakeholders Dinner

I am pleased to be here in Woomera after my planed visit last year had to be postponed due to storms - a reminder of the unique challenges of living and working in a remote environment which is prone to extreme climate conditions.

I have had a wonderful day on the range, visiting Woomera Area School, meeting Defence staff, and touring the heritage park where I learned of Woomera’s 75 years of aerospace operations.

As Governor, it is my privilege to travel throughout our state, building understanding of our regions and showing my support for their people and endeavours.

It won’t surprise you to know that I have learned that remote communities are resilient and well-practised in coming together to overcome challenges.

Woomera is no exception, and I pay tribute to all you for the spirit of cooperation which ensures the community runs smoothly.

Woomera has long been at the forefront of aerospace development:

from the Long Range Weapons Establishment in 1947
to achieving the world’s second highest number of rocket launches in the late 1950s after Cape Canaveral
to launching Australia's first satellite in 1967, giving Australia the distinction of being only the third country to do so after the Soviet Union and the USA.

The US presence at Nurrungar from 1969 to 1999 boosted the town's population beyond 5000, leaving cultural reminders including the bowling alley and basketball courts.

And after a brief post-Cold War decline, defence activity has steadily increased since the late 1990s.

Woomera is today more important than ever, as Australia and our allies face a rapidly changing geopolitical and strategic environment.

As key stakeholders of the large and diverse Woomera community, the cooperation which has underpinned the successful operation of these activities until now is as vital as ever.

You understand the need to balance the multiple demands on this land from defence and aerospace industries, traditional owners, pastoral enterprises, mining exploration, tourism and other activities.

That such diverse groups successfully co-exist here is testament to what can be achieved with cooperation and understanding.

By engaging proactively, by respecting and understanding shared and mutual interests, and by building relationships as part of the Woomera Co-Existence Framework, you make Woomera the success that it is.

Friends,

I thank you all for hosting me in Woomera today.

It has been a privilege to see the different activities this land supports and to better understand its significance and uniqueness as a place of cultural, economic and strategic value.

I commend you all for your contribution to making this a place where people can build lives, grow families and contribute to the prosperity, safety and wellbeing of this region, the state and the nation.

I wish you all the best for the future.