Radio interview with 2GB Sydney's Mornings with Mark Levy on 21 August 2026, 9:14am AEST.

Transcript:

HOST Mark Levy: In the meantime, ladies and gentlemen, whenever someone turns 100, they’re usually sent a letter from King Charles and before him, Queen Elizabeth II. Unfortunately, His Majesty was unavailable today, so I'm sorry to say. But I am delighted to say that The King's representative, the Governor-General of Australia, Sam Mostyn, has phoned through on the open line. Your Excellency, good morning to you.

Governor-General: Good morning, Mark, and happy centenary birthday.

Host: It's an incredible milestone, your Excellency, and I'm looking out here on this beautiful harbour onto our wonderful listeners. We've got 100 listeners on board this boat. 2GB has been very much a part of this city. It's been there through the highs, it's been there through the lows. But the most important thing is, Governor-General, is it's been a companion for our listeners. And we can never underestimate that, can we?

Governor-General: I think that's absolutely right. From the very beginnings of 2GB, even through the 1930s and the world wars, it was 2GB that did the transcription records to the Australian Army's networks of radio stations in PNG and the Pacific Islands. And the work isn't just standing alongside people here. Across your history, you have been the friend and companion of so many people and always sharing news, I think, offering a great deal of friendship to people who rely on 2GB for current news and stories. You've been a great. You've created great drama, radio dramas, entertainment. I mean, this century of 2GB has been an extraordinary gift to your listeners.

Host: And I know, your Excellency, you and I have spoken in the studio in the last couple of years about your passion and your want for young Australians to learn civics. It's radio stations like 2GB that form a very important part of our democracy as well.

Governor-General: Absolutely. And Mark, I'm very grateful to you and your listeners that you've given me time to have a chat with you and I'd love to do more of that and to do some open line chats with your listeners, because that is what the Governor-General should be doing, is sharing our great democracy and learning from the people that you speak to about what matters to them about this great country. And you've been very kind to me in having me on, particularly on days like Anzac Day this year where we've spoken. So, I'm very Grateful, and I hope we keep doing that. And I learn a lot every time I hear back from your listeners about what I'm getting right and what they want me to focus on. I'm very grateful for that ability to talk to your listeners.

Host: We would love to have you back in the studio, your Excellency, because the response we had was phenomenal. Is there a specific moment or event in our nation's history when you may have turned on the radio to find out what was happening? Governor-General?

Governor-General: I think any time there are things happening that are of great national consequence, sadly, it will often be in very difficult moments. So, it's often to do with things like the Port Arthur disaster in our history, or things where there's breaking news. And I know that one of your great skills has been that you're live and local, and I think to be able to turn on the radio and hear things live from great journalists and commentators has always been important. But also celebrating the big things, whether it's been Olympic Games or Commonwealth Games, where Australians are doing great things around the country and you get them onto your shows and we get to hear from them. So, I think it's both the highs and the lows which reminds me of my job, which is always reflecting the light and shade of country. And in trying to interpret the country back to itself, I think you and your fellow broadcasters at 2GB have been doing that for 100 years. The light and shade, listening to your audiences, but sharing everything about what's great and often a bit difficult in a way that people can take comfort from now.

Host: Your Excellency, you're not at Admiralty House, are you, by any chance? Because we're coming up very shortly. You couldn't walk out onto the balcony to give us a wave, could you?

Governor-General: I can't tell you how much I wish that was the case. I've just flown in from Canberra and I'm sitting in bad traffic talking to you, and I would have loved to have given you a royal wave and celebrated you all. We might have to get some of you into Admiralty House at some stage and maybe a little bit of a presentation, like we do for people who turn 100 in this country. We show a lot of respect for those that hit that centenary and I'd love to do that at some stage.

Host: That'd be magnificent. Just before you go, your Excellency. There's a lot of uncertainty out there at the moment. There are a lot of people who are struggling through this cost-of-living crisis. As The King's representative, what would you like to say to those Australians listening in right now, feeling helpless, those who might be struggling, those who just need some encouragement at the moment to get through these tough times?

Governor-General: Yes, thank you, Mark. I think about those doing it tough all the time. In fact, I was out with Bill Crews just a couple of weeks ago. We cooked some food and took it out to Woolloomooloo for the homeless. So, they are some of the most vulnerable at the end of that scale. But I guess what I would say is that we do live in the greatest country in the world with the greatest democratic principles that underpin the fact that it's the people who choose those that govern us. And I think all the time about those who are doing it tough. And I think by putting care at the centre of everything I do, I'm always looking for those stories of people doing it tough. And I want to visit, understand what they need a Governor-General to understand about what’s going on. But I've also got to be very optimistic on behalf of the nation and remind people that this is the greatest nation in the world for so many reasons, gifted with so many advantages, and we've got to stick together. So, I guess the message would be, I hope there are people caring for those that are feeling, doing it very tough at the moment, that people like me do pay attention, and I'm very concerned that no one is left out, that everyone belongs in this country, particularly those doing it tough. And we've got to find ways, particularly those in role models, you know, role models and leaders, to build confidence and pathways and never forget those that are doing it the toughest. So, that's my commitment as your Governor-General. But I know that for me, doing it tough, it's got to be more than words. It's us showing up, being great neighbours, reaching out to each other and listening to the stories that teach us about how we need to be better. And Sir William Deane has always reminded me, as one of our great Governors-General, that we always look out for the most vulnerable and always show up with compassion. And I hope that that's what your listeners will feel from me and those that do care about everyone across our community. And I send my good wishes to those doing it tough. I wish it was different and I wish everyone had the kind of advantages that many have in this country, because we are a magnificent place.

Host: Thank you, your Excellency, and thank you for joining in our centenary celebrations here on 2GB. I look forward to catching up in studio with you in the not too distant future. Thanks so much, Ma’am.

Governor-General: Let's. Let's do that soon. And happy birthday and thank you to everyone at 2GB for everything you've done over a century.

Host: Thank you so much. Ladies and gentlemen, can you put your hands together, please, for our Governor-General, Sam Mostyn. 

Geez, I was hoping she could walk out onto the balcony and give us a little wave. Wouldn't that have been pretty special? We would have got Skipper Cameron to sound the horn for us. She is a remarkable woman and when she joined us in the studio, she genuinely cares about this country and Australians. And one thing I would say about the Governor-General and it was a terrible period and I want to thank those people, especially those at Watsons Bay, members of the Jewish community who came up and thanked me for my support. What I saw the Governor-General do through that period was just nothing short of remarkable. The support that she gave to Bondi locals, to the Jewish community, is what you expect from a Governor-General. And I just hope people respect and appreciate what she did on that particular day.