Address to Inaugral National Emergency Medals Ceremony, Canberra
Posted on Thursday, 26 January 2012
E&OE……………………….……………………………………………………………
Prime Minister, Minister, Senator, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen. This is a very Australia Day thing to be doing because helping others in their hour of need is, we all like to think, at the heart of what makes our country.
If you go to a military medals ceremony the recipients will always say that there were others who deserved it more. Self effacement is also one of Australia’s most attractive characteristics. The best and the bravest are often the most self effacing of all.
In our society, in our country, there are many heroes in many different fields of endeavour and, as everyone here would know, not everyone who deserves a medal gets one, but that’s no reason to skimp on recognition. It’s better to recognise some than to recognise none.
I want to congratulate the Government for this initiative and I think we probably should all acknowledge Her Majesty the Queen’s generosity in acceding to this government request.
Whenever trouble strikes there are people who come to our aid: the firies, the ambos, the police, the state emergency services personnel and others from a host of support organisations. Some are employed, many are volunteers from all walks of life. They do represent the best in our country. They embody the finest instincts of our civilisation to do unto others what you would have them do unto you.
Every summer there are floods, there are fires, sometimes there are both and every summer our emergency services personnel are there to answer the call. I can tell from the bashful looks of the award recipients that you don’t necessarily like being personally singled out, but in saluting you we salute everyone who keeps our communities safe. You have the admiration and the gratitude of the entire nation.
[ends]
26 January 2011