Speech delivered on 15 October 2025, at Government House in Canberra

We have a sparkling early evening in beautiful spring here in Yarralumla, and it's wonderful to have the sun setting on a lovely, lovely evening.

We gather here on the traditional lands of the Ngunnawal People, and I want to acknowledge their Elders, past and present, and also acknowledge any First Nations people who are here as part of our gathering tonight..

Acknowledgements:

• Major General Craig Dobson CSC representing the Vice Chief of the Defence Force
• Warrant Officer Ken Robertson, Senior Assistant Advisor to the Chief of the Defence Force
• Mr Matt Anderson, PSM, Director of the Australian Memorial
• Professor Peter Leahy AC, Chair, Soldier On
• Ms Alison Frame, Secretary of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs
• Commissioner Kahlil Fegan DSC AM, Australia’s Repatriation Commissioner
• Mr Paul Singer, CEO, Soldier On 

I have seen you three times recently – we do catch up quite a lot – and it was very special to spend time with you, just this week. On Monday night, we were at Admiralty House for a pre-launch celebration of the former Governor-General Dame Quentin Bryce’s authorised biography.

Of course, you are such an important part of her life in her role, Paul, and it was wonderful to see you reconnect with her. The book is a wonderful, wonderful set of reflections on Dame Quentin's life.

But we were also together in March – when we walked on a stretch of Sydney Harbour and had breakfast together at Admiralty House.

Most recently, I invested you as a Commander of the Order of St John.

I would like to particularly welcome Michael and Holly Dagger, who will shortly and very generously provide a lived experience reflection.

I have said to them already, as I say to all of you, this is a place of peace and welcome, where everyone is welcome. A place where we welcome information and sharing in a very, very respectful way, and understanding that, when people share their stories, it takes some courage.
I know Michael and Holly – it is something very special to share your lived experience story and how soldiers play a role in the frontlines, in front of such a large group of people.

I want to acknowledge all serving personnel that are here today – all veterans and families of personnel and veterans.

Very importantly, the Soldier On staff, the other Members of the Board, all of those that make the work of this remarkable organisation possible, some of who join us today – Kristen, Vera, Sarah, Michele, Andy, Mariam and Steven – and they have done a lot of work to welcome you here. I want to say thank you and to welcome you all here.

And of course, distinguished guests – I could work through the folder and mention a number of you because of the work of Soldier On. But you're all very, very welcome here tonight.

For many of you, this is a welcome back to Government House. As I said, we like to think of this as a place of peace and welcome, where everyone is welcome.

It is also where I hope all Australians find their stories reflected, where there is space for reflection, sharing and learning, and often for hearing, as is the work of an organisation as powerful as Soldier On.

Given the work of this organisation, I think it is very appropriate that we are all here in Veterans Health Week.

Last year, I was handed another very significant report, one that you'll be very aware of, given to me by former New South Wales Police Commissioner Nick Kaldas. It was the final report from the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.

When you walk around the house tonight, around the ground floor, and look at all the things that we have on display, I am very proud that report sits on the public shelf in my Ceremonial Study for all to see – to look at, to notice and know that there is work not to be forgotten. It is a substantial document comprising seven volumes of 122 recommendations from the three commissioners, Nick Kaldas APM, James Douglas KC and Dr Peggy Brown AO.

That report represents a significant contribution to Australia's efforts to better understand and support our veteran community. And when Commissioner Kaldas handed it to me in the study where it now sits, he took me aside and just very quietly said that similar consideration should be given to all frontline responders, police, paramedics, nurses – all of those that deal with trauma and do that on our behalf. Everyone who is on the frontlines, anyone facing serious risk of harm, physical and mental, in performing their duties as an act of care for us.

Having spent considerable time with our defence force and our frontline responders, and as the daughter of a veteran, and knowing well all of his colleagues and friends from his time in the army, I know we need to approach everyone, all of these professions, with the same care and consideration.

Like our defense force, you do the caring for us as a nation.

When I think of veterans and their health, I think of Soldier On.

In just 13 years, Soldier On has become synonymous with care for veterans and their families. You have been at the heart of a growing national focus on veterans’ wellbeing, and you have provided a model of holistic support. You are walking beside veterans and their families and encouraging all of us to do the same.

As I said, as the daughter of a veteran, now as Commander in Chief – something my father is still getting used to – I know how important it is that all veterans know that their service is valued. All of their service and all that comes afterwards.

It is just as important that they continue to be valued and supported when they leave the defence force.

Our debt of gratitude can never be paid in full, as you all know, but we can show our support and care in ways that equip veterans and their families well into their post-defence lives.

The 2024–25 impact report that we are launching tonight is telling us that Soldier On’s approach and commitment are succeeding. It confirms that veterans and their families are being reached and cared for in far greater numbers and in a more informed and often more creative ways.

The data captured in the report – and I encourage you all to read the report carefully – reflects the growth in support for our veterans. Almost 2,000 health and wellbeing sessions have been delivered in-person or via telehealth. There have been more than 700 employment referrals, 260 education placements, and nearly 1,600 sessions on digital learning platforms.

Soldier On has also – and really importantly and creatively – convened 150 social participation events across the country. This is all about belonging – everything from sailing and surfing, to art and yoga, or a simple catch up with someone for a conversation. And we all know in this room that these are the activities - the points of connection - that actually help reduce loneliness and a sense of isolation.

Among all these encouraging numbers, it was the fact that in 2024–25 there were 44 new participants in the health and wellbeing program that caught my attention. The report, of course, does not name them, it doesn't talk about the nature of their defence careers, or how they have shown up. But we do know that those 44 people have grasped a lifeline.

Each one of them has begun a journey with Soldier On – this potentially lifesaving and certainly already life-changing journey.

In Veterans Health Week it is validating to know that a community of veterans that you all help, and Soldier On helps, is growing all the time. Your vital services in health and wellbeing, as well as employment, education and social connection, as I said, are welcoming new people, encouraging people who might not have come forward before, and their lives are transformed in turn.

And when I was sworn in as your Governor General, just over a year ago, I undertook to put care, kindness and respect at the centre of everything I do. I am now more convinced than ever – even than I was a year ago – that care and kindness are at the core of who we are as Australians, and that they are our most powerful forces for our common good.

The Prime Minister asked me to be visible, optimistic and modern. I think the intersection of modernity and visibility and optimism and care, kindness and respect can be seen in organisations that know exactly what that means for the future country and how we take care of each other.

Soldier On does exactly that. It was founded on care and continues to surround veterans and their families and communities with strength, compassion, kindness and respect.

Soldier On is the kind organisation that cares deeply, and you all know that, so officially launching Soldier On’s impact report for 24/25 I simply want to say thank you to everyone involved in Soldier On, from the leadership team, the board, supporters, those that help in any way, but everyone else that understands the work.

I want to thank all of you, all of you that have families and people affected by the need for veteran support. I want to thank you and everyone who reaches out to you, to honour you by saying thank you.