29 September 2026
I acknowledge the Ngunnawal people, the traditional owners of this land, and pay my respects to Elders past and present. I extend that respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have served in policing.
In a break with formal protocol, I would first like to acknowledge the families and colleagues of the police officers we have come here to remember.
You are the most important people here tonight.
I also acknowledge the Honourable Julian Hill MP, Assistant Minister for Citizenship, Customs and Multicultural Affairs, representing the Prime Minister and the Minister for Home Affairs; Dr Marisa Paterson MLA, ACT Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services, representing the ACT Chief Minister; Air Marshal Stephen Chappell DSC CSC OAM, Chief of Air Force, representing the Chief of the Defence Force; Acting Commissioner Ian McCartney APM, Australian Federal Police, Police commissioners and federal police commissioners and representatives of state police forces from across the nation; Scott Weber, CEO of the Police Federation of Australia; those representatives of police associations, unions, and organisations joining us tonight, serving and former police officers, members of the diplomatic corps, and the families, friends, and all gathered here tonight to remember.
We have come to remember the people you love.
Speaking their names here, of course, cannot make up for their absence, but today we honour their service and share the responsibility of remembrance. And sadly, only a few short days ago, we were again reminded of the extreme risks that police officers face, and of the impact on people who love them and those who work beside them.
The policing community, and Australians across the nation, are grieving Constable Mia Lay, who died on duty in Sydney just last Friday.
Mia was 20 years old, a tender young age, and had only served with the New South Wales Police Force for 16 months. Her parents and partner have spoken of how much she just loved being a police officer.
To Mia's family, her partner, and fellow New South Wales Police Officer Daniel Vasquez, and those who knew and worked beside her, we offer our deepest sympathies.
Our thoughts are also with the colleague who was injured in that accident.
The demands and risks of police service can take very different forms.
At Bondi Beach last December, Jewish families gathered to celebrate Hanukkah, a happy event. When that gathering was so despicably attacked, police officers, other first responders, and members of the public selflessly put themselves into danger to protect people they had never met, and their actions saved lives.
In the days that followed, much was said about every Australian's right to belong and live in peace and safety. At Bondi, we saw the extraordinary risk that police officers take to protect that right.
Among the seriously wounded were Constable Scott Dyson and Probationary Constable Jack Hibbert.
Jack had been a police officer for just four months. His family described how, even after he was wounded, he continued helping others until he could simply no longer do so. Scott's partner Jess spoke about fearing she would never see him again, and they had only recently learned they were expecting a baby.
Now, I was privileged to spend time with both Jack and Scott and their families in the days immediately after that attack. And in recent months we've continued to check in on their recovery and spent time with them on many occasions. And I've been able to pass on the best wishes of His Majesty The King to them both.
You know that around every officer is a circle of people who also live with the demands and risks of service. When an officer is hurt, the lives around them change in unimaginable ways. And when an officer dies, those closest to them carry that loss into the years that follow.
Today, we solemnly gather to acknowledge four more officers whose names are being added to this remarkable memorial.
Sergeant Mark Anthony Bransgrove served with the New South Wales Police Force for more than three decades, spending much of his career in forensic sciences. He retired on medical grounds in 2017. His cancer and ultimately his death eight years later were recognised by New South Wales Police as attributable to his police service.
For Mark, the consequences of service did not end with his last shift; they followed him deeply into his retirement.
Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart-Hottart were killed in despicable circumstances while carrying out their duties at Porepunkah.
Neal had served Victoria Police for 38 years. He was an experienced detective, someone that younger colleagues always turned to for guidance. He loved the outdoors and was approaching his own retirement, looking forward to more time with family and friends and the great adventures ahead. He was an exceptional leader.
And Vadim's former colleagues give us a glimpse of the officer that he was. During his six years as a sworn Victoria Police officer, Vadim and another officer helped someone in great distress. Afterwards, that person painted portraits especially for them. When Vadim's former colleagues were preparing to farewell him, they shared a photograph of him proudly holding his portrait.
It tells us so much about Vadim and about the impact a police officer can have in someone else's life.
Detective Senior Constable Maxine Bembridge had already served for more than 13 years with Warwickshire Police when she joined the Western Australian Police Force in 2007.
She worked in general duties and detective roles, including family violence investigations and the child abuse squad.
In May this year, Maxine was recalled to help with a serious child abuse investigation. There was very difficult work to be done, and she was on her way to help when, tragically, she died in a collision near Hopeland.
Another tragic loss of a seriously exceptional person.
Now, these few stories tell only a tiny part of four remarkable lives: Mark, Neal, Vadim, and Maxine.
Their families and colleagues know their stories deeply and personally, and cherish so many other memories of them, and will do so forever.
As you've heard, for 20 years this memorial has given people a place to come together and remember the many lives represented here. Before it opened in 2006, Chris Dunning spoke about her son, AFP Protective Service Officer Adam Dunning, who was killed while serving in the Solomon Islands.
Chris said this:
'The more you see people remembering him, the more he is alive and not forgotten – you can't help but treasure that.'
The responsibility to remember extends way beyond this place where we gather tonight.
Police officers are there for people in all kinds of circumstances – in good times, in challenging times and, as we know, at some of the most difficult moments of their lives, and the lives of others.
Just earlier this month, at a very special ceremony marking 25 years of the Bravery Garden at Government House here in Canberra, former New South Wales Police Detective and Cross of Valour recipient Allan Sparkes CV OAM, reflected on what bravery means to him.
'For me,' Allan said, 'bravery is about caring.'
He spoke deeply about bravery as the willingness to care for another person – to step forward and help before anyone has to ask.
Now, those here know this, that those who spend their working lives caring for others also need care around them as well. We must always be there for officers carrying injuries or memories of traumatic events, and for the families learning to live with great loss.
As your Governor General, it is a privilege to represent all Australians at this service tonight, and say to the families of every officer commemorated here: no ceremony can encompass what their absence means to you.
As we, and all who will come here at any time, continue to remember them, I hope there is some comfort in knowing that their memories remain alive and treasured.
We will keep speaking their names and making time to learn more about the people they were.
To all gathered here, your loved ones have a lasting place in the life of Australia.
Together, tonight we honour them, and will always continue to stand with you.
Thank you.