Speech delivered on 27 November, HMAS Harman, Canberra

I acknowledge the Ngunnawal people as traditional owners of the land we meet on, and recognise any other people or families with connection to the lands of Canberra and the region.  

I pay respect to elders, past and present, and extend that respect to any First Nations people joining us today.  

I acknowledge: Commodore Ben Favelle CSC, Commander Support Force – today’s ceremony will no doubt bring back memories of HMAS Coonawarra being awarded the Governor’s Cup in 2013, when you were Commanding Officer.  

I also acknowledge Commander Dean Thompson, Commanding Officer; Lieutenant Commander Megan Erven, Executive Officer; Warrant Officer Carly Mercer, Command Warrant Officer; Captain Glyn Hunter, former Commanding Officer, and Warrant Officer Shane O’Grady, former Command Warrant Officer, who led HMAS Harman during the period recognised by this outstanding achievement.  

I am especially delighted that today, as your Commander-in-Chief, I have the honour of celebrating your achievement.  

Awarded to recognise the Shore Establishment that has excelled in all aspects of operations, safety, training, and support to the Fleet, the Governor’s Cup is a significant achievement.  

When I was sworn in, I promised to put care, kindness, and respect at the core of everything I do, both as your Governor-General and as your Commander-in-Chief.  

The way I talk about that is care for each other, as you have always done; care for those who care for others; care for our continent and its environmental riches; and, importantly, care for civics and institutions—the institution you represent protects our country and provides a sense of peace and stability. It is incredibly important to care for the institution of our Defence Forces and all services. Care for the way we discuss the issues of our time without rancour, anger, judgment, or violence. We can always respect each other and take care—always.

Now, I think there can be a temptation to see care as soft, particularly when a woman talks about care. I want to put a case to you—and many of you know—care is, in fact, hard and rigorous. It takes effort, commitment, real grit, determination, and perseverance. I think care—I’ve not called it this before—but I think care is strategic, and when done well, it delivers better outcomes. It’s not soft, although it is often wrapped in compassion and a great sense of care for others.

I think this is what the women and men of HMAS Harman have demonstrated so successfully. Today’s recognition is very important evidence of your impact. With every human being, your commitment and your focus really matter. I’m delighted that we’re able to celebrate that today, and I hope that every single one of you feels very proud of your accomplishments.

Care, I believe, is at the core of our modern country—modern Australia—where everybody should belong. And over the past 16 months as your Commander-in-Chief, I’ve seen so clearly the power of the intersection of care, kindness, and respect—with three things the Prime Minister asked me to embody when he appointed me to this position: modernity, visibility, and optimism. That intersection of being modern, visible, and optimistic—showing care, kindness, and respect—I see so much of our modern nation as a mosaic of success and belonging. And I see that in the modern Australian Defence Force.

As you know, the values of care, kindness, and respect align so well with Defence values: service, courage, respect, integrity, and excellence. Since taking office just over a year ago in 2024, I’ve witnessed these values in the modern Navy’s effectiveness, efficiency, and competency. I saw it at Operation Talisman Sabre in Rockhampton in July this year. I saw it very early on in my term at Exercise Pitch Black in Darwin last year, at HMAS Creswell, Albatross, and now Harman, and at HMAS Adelaide.  

Only a few weeks ago, as a guest aboard the Young Endeavour, I was particularly proud to see your values on show in a very historic moment.

I accompanied His Majesty King Charles III during the Fleet Review on Sydney Harbour. I know how much that meant to The King and Queen Camilla in October last year—just a year ago. It was a privilege to be on the water with His Majesty throughout the historic review, to see our modern Navy in its splendor. It meant a great deal to His Majesty and to me.

I see care often in its strongest form at graduation parades and during commemorations across Australia—at HMAS Sydney II Memorial in Geraldton, Western Australia; at the Teddy Sheean Memorial in Latrobe, Tasmania; and overseas. Most importantly, on ANZAC Day, we were very proud to represent Australia on the 110th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings. I also see respect for the modern ADF at Australian Honours and Awards ceremonies, where I’m privileged to present insignia and awards to so many members of our Australian Defence Force.

But here today, HMAS Harman exemplifies these values in an extraordinary way. It’s in your vision and everything that you do—everything that all of you do—through leadership, care for your people, caring for each other, and a commitment to community. The achievement of the Governor’s Cup is recognition of the highest order and an example of the finest traditions of the Royal Australian Navy.  

Bravo Zulu, HMAS Harman—your efforts embody the spirit of service and the values that underpin our modern Navy. Thank you for all that you do—for all of us, for our nation, for the peace of this country, and for the world.  

Fair winds and following seas.