Speech delivered on 9 May 2026 at the Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne Museum
Thank you Uncle John Terrick, for your generous Welcome to Country.
Gathering here in this glorious Royal Exhibition Building, one thing we can be sure of is that, on this day in 1901, no Aboriginal people were invited to open proceedings; to perform welcome to their traditional lands, and where acknowledgement could be made respectfully of that practice.
Today, 125 years later, I very proudly acknowledge the Wurunderjeri Woi-Wurrung and Bunurong/Boon Wurrun peoples of the Kulin nation, and pay my respect to their elders, past and present, and to the many First Nations people here this morning.
I also acknowledge:
- Professor James Angus AO, Lieutenant, Governor of Victoria
- The Honourable Anthony Albanese MP, Prime Minister
- The Honourable Jacinta Allen, Premier of Victoria
- All other very distinguished guests
- And all Australians here today
Thank you, John, and your fellow members of Museums Victoria for welcoming us to celebrate this important anniversary of the opening of Australia’s Federal Parliament – and of Federation -- the great democratic impulse of the people who brought Australia into being as a nation.
Shortly, as Gunggari woman Tiffany Garvie captures the image of us in all of our modernity, we can only wonder whether the figures captured in Charles Nuttall’s epic painting of 1901, could have ever imagined what we have become?
Because it is not just our Parliament that now looks so different – we are different; unrecognisable in many respects, and yet, still defined by the optimism and dynamism captured in the Argus when it described what happened here 125 years ago:
‘Twelve thousand people seated in a vast amphitheatre – free people, hopeful people, courageous people – entrusted with the working out of their own destiny and rejoicing in their liberty’
And as we did work out our destiny, many things remained to be done, some achieved quickly:
Votes for women, which came in 1902.
Compulsory voting in 1924.
Other developments came shamefully slowly – with the granting to First Nations Australians of permission to enrol and vote only achieved in 1962, well after so many had served in defence of this nation in wars overseas.
The journey to Federation itself was a series of paths crossing the country – bringing Australians together to give shape to our national life, and the potential of our future.
From the 1840s until here in 1901, in Sydney and Corowa – still known today as the Birthplace of Federation – in Hobart, Parkes, and Bathurst – in every state and in towns separated by vast distances, Australian communities brought their energies together to build a nation.
Governors-General since 1901 have all shared many great privileges as witness to our progress as a nation – Sir Zelman Cowen spoke clearly of the greatest privilege –
‘to interpret the nation to itself by offering encouragement and recognition to many Australians – some of whom are not very powerful or visible in the bustle of everyday life – and to the efforts of individuals and groups who work constructively to improve life in Australia.’
He reflected that the most significant task of the Governor-General is performed in the course of daily contact with the rich diversity of all Australians
Sir Ninian Stephen often reflected on “this business of being an Australian”.
He spoke of unity of belief in the form of government we want – “unhesitatingly a democratic one”.
He also recognised our “social egalitarianism”, and the Australian characteristic of cheerful cynicism.
Before I took Office, I met with all the living former Governors-General, who gave me similar insights – including Sir William Deane, who I met with again just earlier this week, at 95 still encouraging us all to show compassion for one another.
One of the great honours of this role is the privileged opportunity on an almost daily basis to see and understand Australia on a panoramic scale and the fine grain life of community. It is there that I see up close the enthusiasm for our democratic project.
And so, as we mark this splendid historic occasion, that privileged view reveals that our mighty successful democracy is buttressed by “our braided and ever strengthening 3-part story of the 65,000 years of Indigenous law, language and culture that is always generously shared with us by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people; the strength, stability and purpose of our democracy flowing from British traditions of Parliament and institutions of government; and the many decades of welcoming migrants and refugees.
Here in 1901, the hint of our future was evident.
Looung, one of the great Chinese dragons now held proudly in Bendigo’s Golden Dragon Museum, was a feature of the celebrations around this city – leading the Chinese community’s parade along Spring Street.
Today, over 8 million migrants and 1 million refugees later, we represent one of the world’s great success stories of a multicultural and multifaith nation.
A nation where more than 50% of our population is either from overseas or has a parent born elsewhere.
Now increasingly represented in our Parliament, which I witnessed in the joint sitting to open the
When asking me to serve as your 28th Governor-General, the Prime Minister described the Office of Governor-General as needing to be modern, visible and optimistic.
And that is how I see Australia – and I see it most profoundly in the young generations of Australians enthusiastically embracing with great pride our extraordinary democratic nation.
I last saw Charles Nuttall’s painting of the 1901 Opening of Parliament through the eyes of the students participating in activities at the Electoral Commission’s education centre in Canberra.
They were proud, excited and engaged, asking the very best questions about our democracy and our Parliament, and grabbing Constitutions
I see the same joy and enthusiasm in the hugely diverse young people across Australia who yearn for more engagement and participation in our democracy.
While we live in a time of global challenge and new uncertainties and pressures, it would be easy to focus on the loose threads of our social fabric.
But today, in this historic moment, we can pause, take pride in our achievement and encourage one another to care deeply about our democratic legacy and re-imagine our roles as active citizens – just as we will shortly see in the Youth Parliament.
As we look ahead, we should all imagine this same celebration in another 125 years, I know it will be as different from today as we are from 1901 and that moment will be as thrilling to see as it is today, but it will be where our resourcefulness, our innovation, our inclusivity and our engagement with the world and our commitment to Unity will have taken us somewhere extraordinary, we will again be the envy, as we are today, of the world. That is the genius of Australia.
Before concluding, I am delighted to share a message from His Majesty King Charles written in recognition of the importance of today’s anniversary, and expressing his enduring respect and affection for Australia:
He writes:
‘As you gather to mark the 125th anniversary of the opening of the first Australian Parliament, I extend my warmest congratulations to the people of Australia.
The Commonwealth of Australia stands as a remarkable success story. The opening of the Australian Federal Parliament in 1901, in the presence of my great-grandparents, was a defining step in the nation’s journey and this significant anniversary presents an opportunity to reflect on how the aspirations of a young federation led to the laying of the foundations for a strong and vibrant democracy that continues to thrive today. To be able to mark such an occasion in the very same building in which the national Parliament was first convened provides an important setting to reflect upon the enduring spirit of democracy and responsibility that continues to shape and shepherd this nation.
Over the decades, Australia has grown into a confident, diverse and forward-looking nation, guided by principles of fairness, equality and respect for the rule of law. The nation’s Parliament has played a central role in navigating times of challenge and opportunity alike, always striving to serve the best interests of its people, and, as you commemorate this important milestone, it is my hope that you will join me in taking pride in the strength of these democratic traditions, while continuing to look ahead with unity, purpose and optimism.
On this special anniversary, my wife and I send our most heartfelt good wishes to each of you gathered at the Exhibition Buildings, and to all Australians.’
CHARLES R.