Speech delivered on December 6, Government House

Thank you for coming back to this space, where it feels a bit more formal, but we want you to know that when you come into this house, you’re being welcomed to a place where everyone belongs. We talk about this as a place of peace and belonging, where everybody is welcome. We show deep care for everyone who comes here.

Next, I want to acknowledge Tiffany and the household team—Kerry, Sarah, and many of the crew here. Dusty is taking photos. We have a team that believes deeply in what we do.

I’m interested to come up the front and speak, but I’m supported by the most incredible people—you can feel that through your time here. Don’t feel like it’s too formal. Treat this as a place to wander around. Someone said they were worried about making a mess—don’t worry about being quiet. If you look at everything, it’s all absolutely fine.

This is not my home—it’s certainly a place where I live here in Canberra, and I have the privilege of working and living in the house, upstairs and downstairs. The house and grounds are for all Australians—the official residence for every Australian to come and see. For those of you who have seen it before, please enjoy this morning as a place where you are totally welcome.

I also acknowledge and pay my respects to Ngunnawal elders past and present, and everyone who has a long attachment to the lands of the ACT and the Canberra region. I acknowledge any guests here today who have an Aboriginal heritage and background—you are all very, very welcome here.

It’s almost a perfect day for a picnic, and then it got very, very hot—but it’s a perfect Saturday late morning for you to come here.

Many of you already know that I’m the first Governor-General to be born in Canberra, so that’s a pretty good distinction for welcoming Canberra girls and women here. I’m the second woman to perform this role, after Dame Quentin Bryce, and I’m number 28 overall.

If you want to see how Dame Quentin looked in the role, we have a beautiful portrait of her just in the vestibule near the bathrooms. You can see the first woman who served in this job over 10 years ago. She’s been a great guide to me. In fact, Dame Quentin is a fantastic example of mentoring. She has mentored women struggling with a big career, and she always reaches out to me regularly to see how I’m going in this role.

For me, that’s what mentoring relationships are about—they’re lifelong, and you build relationships you can always call on.

Last night, I was at the National Gallery of Australia to open the Fifth National Indigenous Triennial. If you get a chance, go—it’s truly spectacular. Brilliant women artists are featured. It’s deeply impressive.

Around this house, you’ll see paintings by women, furniture designed by women. One in particular, Ruth Lane Poole, designed all the interiors for many historic houses back in 1927. When this was first used as the Governor-General’s residence, she did a lot of work to design furniture and features. She was the first Australian woman ever to advise on furnishing an official residence.

Women and girls have been doing amazing things—we just need to pay attention and tell their stories. We’re going to keep celebrating all those women.

I hope you get to see many of those pieces of art and artifacts today.

I want to acknowledge Gai Brodtmann, the founding chair—someone I deeply admire—for creating an organization that has changed so many lives. Together with her board, she ensures this program is growing and thriving.

I love that you’ve chosen bright colours to support women and girls with your work. I wore bright colours for you today—clothes made and designed by refugee and migrant women from an organization called The Social Outfit. We’re patrons of this group, and all of their clothes enable women who have recently arrived and have great sewing skills to find a job path and economic future. They’re mentored by senior members of The Social Outfit.

It’s another case of mentoring—giving women a path to economic freedom and agency in Australia. I’m very proud of that, as I am about my involvement with Fearless Women.

You have a number of board members here today, including founding members Dorothy, Allison, and Judy. Thank you for being here.

I also acknowledge Veda Stevens, CEO—it’s wonderful to have you back here. We had a wonderful celebration a year ago here for another group of Fearless Women graduates.

Today is very special for all of us. I want to acknowledge the staff of Fearless Women—they’re often volunteers who do a huge amount of work.

The reason we’re here today is to celebrate the mentors and, particularly, the mentees—our most distinguished guests today. Congratulations to the Fearless Women cohorts Level 12 and 13—“Fewer by the Dozen” and “Fewer Fighters”—great names for your graduating classes!

You’ve chosen to invest in yourselves and your future by joining this wonderful community of care and belonging. This is one of the best examples of what it means to care—but in this case, fearless, fierce, and fabulous. And you all do look fabulous today.

In the years since we last met, we’ve welcomed so many Fearless Women—not just through formal programs, but women who now call themselves fearless—into Government House and Admiralty House.

One of them is a staff member I’d like to introduce—Lieutenant Tiffany. Tiffany is here with me until March next year. She’s 26, flies helicopters on and off major Navy ships, and is an outstanding young member of the Australian Defence Force.

Don’t be confused by the uniform—defence offers opportunities for everyone. Tiffany studied photography at university before joining the Navy. She’s a fierce young woman who came to this through unexpected pathways.

Two weeks ago, we had marvellous young men from The Man Cave here. They work hard to reach as many young men as possible to talk about healthy masculinity, respectful relationships, and how men can support and give space to women and girls.

It’s an important part of the work here—to make sure we talk to young men about clearing pathways for fearless women, including those working with women with disabilities and neurodiverse women and girls.

Everybody is welcome here, and we love celebrating you today.

I’ll finish by saying I am the beneficiary of what all the mentees are experiencing now. I’ve always had mentors in my life—from a very young age. Sometimes I’ve asked them to be my mentor; sometimes I’ve just stepped in and said I needed guidance.

I live my life today with some men and women who continue to be my mentors, and I mentor others as often as I can—even if it’s a quick phone call or text. These are the relationships you as mentees can have with your current mentors and others over your life.

Reach out and ask for support—it makes you stronger, gives you a sense of belonging and care.

To the mentors—thank you. I’m sure you’ll agree we learn more from mentees than we ever give, because you’re so generous as girls and young women. You teach us what it means to grow up in a modern world.

My 26-year-old daughter Lotte always tells me I must keep meeting young women to understand that life today is not what it was when I was growing up in the 70s. Life is very different.

Your journey together as mentors and mentees is a shared investment in belonging and in our future community. We care for each other, and I think the cohorts who have already graduated will tell you how important it is to gain skills to live life and shape the world tomorrow.

I’m so pleased to celebrate all those stories. Make yourself at home and have fun today.