Investiture Ceremony for 2009 Queen's Birthday Honours Recipients

Friday 11 September 2009


by His Excellency Dr Ken Michael, AC
Governor of Western Australia



I would like to begin by acknowledging the traditional custodians of the land on which Government House stands and to thank Professor Colleen Hayward for her warm and embracing acknowledgement to country.

My wife, Julie, and I are delighted to welcome you all to Government House for this prestigious investiture ceremony.

This celebration of the Queen's Birthday Honours, along with other celebrations around our nation, recognises the outstanding and extraordinary service of some very special Australians who serve and enrich our community.

This service – that benefits us all – comes about because those treasured people commit themselves to selfless acts of bravery, to inspiring pursuits of excellence and to caring compassionately for others, all of which help to build and sustain a better society for all Australians.

In some instances, people have performed several of these acts together in their inspiring efforts to make a difference.

I would like to offer my congratulations to each and every one of the recipients listed in your program. Of these recipients, 13 are from our rural areas. All have been honoured for their fine contributions in fields including science, geology, charity, Indigenous development, medicine, local government, multicultural affairs, bravery, aged welfare, tourism and sport, as well as for their contributions to defence, police, fire and ambulance services, the State Emergency Services and the Volunteer Marine Rescue Services.
 
In congratulating the recipients, I also would like to acknowledge the family and friends who have accompanied them today. The support they provide is invaluable, and they are appropriately acknowledged with our thanks. They share in the pride of the recipients in this recognition and in the very meaningful sense of accomplishment that these honours bring.

For me, the most inspiring aspects of these awards are the stories we are told; the stories of men and women who risk their lives to save others, who offer help and care to those in need, who work and study hard to expand our possibilities in the areas of research and enterprise across many streams, who add value to our communities with their dedicated contributions; men and women whose actions define and reflect the very best of our national endeavours across the full spectrum of our society.
 
They all are about individuals who are committed to building sustainable communities for the future of our children and grandchildren. Much of this relies on voluntary service to the community, whether it is in the city or in regional areas.

Dr Martin Luther King once said that all of us are, and I quote him:

"...caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly."

As such, I think you will agree that the acts of service displayed here today benefit all of us as a society – that "inescapable network of mutuality" – and demonstrate the true spirit and meaning of citizenship.
 
I do believe it is important that, as a nation, we reward those people who are prepared to go that extra step “beyond the call of duty” on behalf of others. Such recognition is a very pertinent and meaningful way to underscore and enhance our community spirit while reinforcing the values we all share.

But, of course, nobody would gain recognition if they were not nominated by their fellow citizens. And this is a very important aspect of the nature of these awards.

They are about Australians being nominated by their fellow Australians. Each of our recipients is here today because others – who valued and appreciated their efforts – took the time to recommend them.
 
In this respect, I would encourage you all to be active in gaining recognition for people where you see deserving service. This is the true value of the Australian Honours and Awards system. They are by no means elitist or exclusive. Rather, they are very egalitarian in that any citizen or group of citizens can nominate another citizen.

Across Australia, the Australian Honours and Awards are, I believe, a vital form of recognition that links all our people together.

So today we, as a community, take this wonderful opportunity to express our deep respect and appreciation for the efforts of our fellow Australians who make such outstanding contributions to the Australian way of life and to our national ethos. They significantly help us to appreciate living in a free society, where such recognitions are highlighted and applauded.

In my view, the awards are essentially about our people and values – about diversity, commitment, courage and respect. They reinforce the good things that come from sharing our talents and time, our dreams and hopes, our creativity and aspirations for the future; it is about being Australian.

My very warm congratulations to all of our outstanding recipients. Ladies and gentlemen, would you please join me in once more acclaiming our distinguished and deserving citizens.