Speech delivered 18 November 2025 at Admiralty House, Sydney.

Thank you all for being here. The room is beautiful, and we have a wonderful afternoon ahead. Welcome to Admiralty House—a very special place. It’s a glorious Sydney afternoon.  

Today, we meet on the lands of the Cammeraygal people. I pay my respects to their elders past and present and acknowledge any Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people here today. I especially want to acknowledge Kim Whiteley, representing the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ageing and Aged Care Council. It’s wonderful to see that connection being made. Kim, I’m so glad you’re here.

We’ve worked hard at Admiralty House, and Government House in Canberra, to ensure First Nations people feel welcome in these historic homes. There was a time when older Aboriginal people, especially women, told me they didn’t feel safe or welcome here. We’ve tried to change that—through the art, the artifacts, and the way we present these spaces—to show that everyone is welcome. These aren’t my houses or Simeon’s; they are houses for all Australians.  

Today, you are very welcome to make yourselves at home. After the proceedings, feel free to wander through the ground floor rooms, take photos, selfies, and share the story of this place. It’s designed to spark curiosity and showcase the stories we want to tell. It is a place of peace and belonging.

It’s an absolute joy to welcome my dear friend and national treasure, Maggie Beer. A big round of applause for Maggie.

It’s been a big year for you, Maggie. You are a person of immense energy and passion, and your warmth shines through everything you do. It’s extraordinary to reflect that you were Senior Australian of the Year in 2010—15 years ago. You must have been the youngest Senior Australian ever! But you haven’t stopped since. You’ve entered a new chapter, caring deeply for others and drawing national attention to a priority we’ve too often overlooked: older Australians.

You’ve reminded us that care for older people is everyone’s responsibility. That’s why we have such a wonderful crowd here today—we all care deeply, and you’re leading us on a powerful journey. Colin, it’s wonderful to see you too. You’re not just Maggie’s husband today—you’re part of this mission.  

Jon Clarke, Chair of the Maggie Beer Foundation; Jane Mussared, CEO of the Foundation; Sue Beeforth from Cooinda in Coonabarabran—it’s wonderful to have you here. Ahmed Abdullah, Head Chef at Mission Australia, will be speaking on the panel later. There are many others I’d love to acknowledge, but I’d spend my whole speech doing that.

I do want to call out Kylie Kwong—not just for her perfect photos and storytelling, but for her work in Western Sydney with the Powerhouse, introducing people to food. Kylie and I got to know each other more deeply during COVID, when I was volunteering at Addison Road Community Organisation. We were boxing food packages for people in lockdown. Kylie joined us and rightly pointed out that we were packing boxes as if every family was the same—Weet-bix, milk, sugar, Vegemite. Good donations, but not culturally appropriate.

Kylie introduced us to Spiral Foods, who provided rice, wine vinegar, soy sauce—ingredients that made sense for different communities. We began tailoring boxes for different religions and cultures. It was a turning point. Kylie helped us understand that food matters deeply, and thoughtless distribution can be a mistake. Thanks to her, those boxes found the right homes and were truly appreciated.

Maggie, you established the Foundation in 2014. Now in its 12th year, it’s a distinct honour to accept your invitation to be its Patron. I take that role seriously. Supporting the Foundation’s goal—ensuring older people have access to good food wherever they live—is fundamental. As Governor-General, I’ve placed care at the centre of my work, and your mission aligns perfectly.

Today, we celebrate everyone involved in this vital project—often overlooked but essential. Cooks and chefs are at the heart of this mission, along with aged care managers, consumer advocates, donors, policymakers, clinicians, nurses, dietitians, speech pathologists, and care staff. You are the village behind the Foundation’s work, contributing lived experience, expertise, and compassion.

This may be the first gathering of its kind here, but I hope it’s not the last. You are holding the country together through care. We learned a lot about that during COVID, and now we can do even more.

Congratulations to you and your team, Maggie, on the Year Two evaluation released last week. It confirmed the Foundation’s education and training program is having a positive impact on food and nutrition for staff and residents. What stood out to me were the words “confidence,” “pride,” and “increased skills”—not just about the food, but about those preparing it.

Your timing is perfect. Just two weeks ago, new aged care reforms came into effect. Nutrition is now a priority in the new residential aged care standards. Today, we’ll enjoy food from Maggie’s aged care menu—delicious, nutritious recipes for life. I’ve received the latest copy, and it’s going straight into my kitchen. It’s not just for care homes—it’s for all of us, especially older relatives who want to keep cooking proudly.

The menu today was prepared in our kitchen at Admiralty House. Jane, our executive chef, has served four Governors-General and now me. She’s worked with others to ensure today’s food reflects Maggie’s vision. Rachel Knight, a trainer and mentor with the Foundation, is here. Luke Ferguson, senior cook at Cooinda, couldn’t make it. Skye, head chef at Howard Solomon Residential Care in Perth, travelled a long way to be here.

After Maggie speaks, we’ll have a panel conversation. I heard Maggie speak at the National Press Club in August—her warmth, honesty, and urgency were unforgettable. The Foundation has achieved so much, but its potential is limitless. Whether in care homes or private homes, good food must be central to aged care.

Shockingly, the Royal Commission found that up to half of aged care residents suffer from malnutrition. Food was one of four areas needing immediate attention. Maggie has taught us that it’s a complex issue—money, regulation, advertising, cultural sensitivity, feeding assistance, medical factors, and changing nutritional needs all play a role.

For many of us, this is personal. It affects our parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles. When you see the food being served, it becomes personal very quickly. Maggie wants us to raise the bar—accredited aged care cooks and chefs transforming food across Australia. You’ve been indefatigable, Maggie. That word was made for you.

You remind us that food should never be perfunctory or an afterthought. Eating well is aging well. Food should nourish, delight, and engage our senses. You’ve said it breaks your heart when older people eat only Vegemite toast and tea because they don’t feel worthy of good food. But your heart bursts with joy when aged care cooks embrace fresh, nutritious flavours.

I met some chefs recently at the National Indigenous Training Academy at Uluru. They’re using your methodology through a First Nations lens, caring deeply for elders in remote communities. They prepared a high tea with native ingredients—lemon myrtle scones, Davidson plum macarons, smoked emu quiche. These students are heading into professional kitchens across Australia, carrying an ethos of care.

We are a culturally diverse nation. Our care must reflect that. I recently visited Meals on Wheels in Tokyo, where they prepare beautiful, culturally appropriate meals for the elderly. Maggie, your work is making this happen here.

I’ve placed care at the centre of everything I do. The Prime Minister asked me to be modern, visible, and optimistic. I also value kindness and respect. These six words—care, kindness, respect, modernity, visibility, optimism—guide my team and me.

Every one of you is part of this story. You know something we don’t often say: care is not soft. It may be wrapped in compassion, but done well, it is rigorous, accountable, and persistent. It pushes boundaries and finds solutions. It’s hard work, but it’s essential.

We are a better society when we care for older people with understanding, intelligence, sensitivity, kindness, and respect. That’s what Maggie’s Foundation is doing—changing how we think about ageing in Australia.

Maggie, you are a force for good. Thank you for everything you do. I’m honoured to be your patron. I hope everyone here feels inspired to support the Foundation and help transform how we care for older Australians. We will all grow old. We will all be beneficiaries of everything you do.