Speech delivered on 28 November, Admiralty House, Sydney

Welcome everybody to Admiralty House. I always say that Admiralty House, like Government House, is a place of peace and welcome, where absolutely everyone belongs. I want to acknowledge that we are on the land of the Cammeraygal people and pay my respects to their Elders, past and present.

I’ve heard the Girls From Oz who are here from all over the country. I also want to acknowledge where you are all from, and pay respect to your Elders. We are just across the water from Gadigal country, and I often think of the beauty of sitting here on Cammeraygal land. If you looked across the Harbour before the city was built, it would have been women and girls sitting in boats, fishing and feeding their families up and down this piece of water. It’s something to reflect on—the tens of thousands of years of history that we are now sitting on.

I also want to acknowledge a few other people: Nicole Muir, Chief Executive Officer of the Australian School of Performing Arts and a great friend of my office for many years. It’s wonderful to see you back here, and congratulations on another extraordinary year of success.

Stuart Major, the Board Chair. Stuart is a relatively new chair, having been a big supporter of the choir for a very long time and now chairing since July. Welcome to your first time here, and congratulations on your appointment. It’s wonderful to have you and your wife here today.

Executive Directors Libby Franke and Kylie Lee-Archer—congratulations once again.

There are so many of you I could acknowledge, but really it’s the staff of the Australian Girls Choir, Girls from Oz, and the Australian School of Performing Arts—and all the other arts institutions represented today—that deserve thanks for your connection and support of all the girls.

I really want to acknowledge the superstars of today: the girls from the Australian Girls Choir, Girls from Oz, and the newest in the stable—the International Girls Choir from Singapore. This is their first time performing outside Singapore, here in Sydney. A big round of applause!

I believe someone here helped set up the choir in Singapore—Lucy Milan Davis. You moved to Singapore after being in the choir originally here in Australia. Nicole, that must make you feel proud—this is the growth and global reach of the girls.

To all of you currently in the choir: look where your music and your connection with the world can take you—whether it’s back to communities in remote parts of the country or all around the world. That is a beautiful story.

I’m particularly pleased you are here because this year marks the 60th anniversary of Singapore’s independence. Australia was one of the first nations in the world to recognize Singapore—the day after independence was granted, 60 years ago. I went to Singapore recently to celebrate that anniversary and Australia’s relationship with Singapore. So not only for the girls, but for all of you who have travelled from Singapore to support your choir, this is a lovely connection back to a very important partner for Australia.

Most recently, I welcomed the Singaporean Prime Minister to Government House in Canberra. We had a very good meeting in Singapore, and he revealed to me that music is at the centre of his life. He particularly likes old Australian bands like AC/DC—who I saw earlier this week here in Sydney—and he plays guitar very well. When he visited, I gave him a book on Australian-made guitars. The relationship between our countries is often mediated through things like music and culture, so it’s wonderful to have you here.

Some of you in the choir, and many of you in the audience, were here last year when we marked the 40th anniversary of the Girls Choir with Dame Quentin Bryce joining us on that lovely evening. Of course, she was a former Governor-General, the first woman to occupy that office, and a patron of Girls from Oz. It’s wonderful to have so many of you back—and welcome to all of you who are here for the first time.

A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of celebrating another 40th anniversary—back in Central Australia with the Anangu people for the anniversary of the handback of Uluru to the Anangu. Music was at the centre of all the performances there. They performed something called the Inma, which is dance, storytelling, and song linking men and women, but particularly women and their children—teaching the youngest children how to use song and dance to communicate history. That’s what we’re doing with the Australian Girls Choir and Girls from Oz: using music and singing to connect and teach.

You know about the power of voice and song that moves all of us today. Your voices bring not only music but the spirit of friendship, belonging, and optimism, which has defined the choir for more than four decades.

I’m sorry to say today there is a tinge of sadness. Many of you have spoken personally for many years about someone who had a profound effect on why we are all here. Just a few weeks ago, Judith Curphey OAM, the visionary founder of the Australian Girls Choir, passed away at the good age of 96—a long and remarkable life. Judith began the choir when she was 55, after a career as a teacher. She was guided by her belief: if a child can speak, they can sing. From that conviction grew the organisation we celebrate today, which has empowered generations of girls to find their voices, confidence, and place in the world—whether here in Australia, in Singapore, or further afield.

In 2007, Judith also co-founded Girls from Oz, ensuring that girls and women in remote and regional communities could be part of the transforming power of music. Girls from Oz turns 18 this year. You’ve delivered 178 community programs, reaching more than 3,000 girls around remote Australia—quite extraordinary—offering performance and mentoring opportunities that may otherwise have remained out of reach.

Last year, I spoke about care, kindness, and respect. Today, I hope you feel the active care for all of you—but that requires care from all of us. I also want to reflect briefly on the enduring support of Dame Quentin Bryce, who continues to champion women and girls.  

We’re all really excited to hear you perform today and every year. All the very best for Sunday and the rest of your story.