Speech delivered on 3 December at Admiralty House, Sydney.

I’m delighted to welcome you all here to Admiralty House on this brilliant afternoon. I want to acknowledge that we’re on the land of the Cammeraygal people and pay our respects to Elders, past and present. I often have the great opportunity to look across this beautiful harbour and this stretch of water just outside the gardens, to Gadigal land, and think about what was happening here for tens of thousands of years. The activity would have been here long before any of us were. It’s always a moment to reflect on the great care that’s always been shown for these beautiful lands.

I extend my respect to all First Nations people joining us today. I think Scout Davis is here—Scout is a leader and co-founder of the Good Tracks program. Wonderful to have you here, along with all other First Nations people at today’s launch.

I acknowledge Rear Admiral Peter Laver AM (Retired), President of this wonderful organization, Making Waves Foundation, after a stellar 40-year naval career; David Preston, Vice President of MWF; Gareth Hogan, General Manager; Peter Lewis, Patron and former board member and president; Andrew King, former chair. Many of you are past presidents and have served for many years—I thank you for that extraordinary support.

John Whitfield—the Sydney to Hobart skipper, one of the most important people here today. Dr James Hunter, the Sydney to Hobart crew members, and all your partners and families—we’ll be doing the official presentation of the caps for the crew shortly.

Five of the crew are debuting in this Sydney to Hobart—first time ever—including Jens from Copenhagen, Denmark, a four-time Paralympian and silver medallist at the Sydney 2000 Games, right out here in front of this wonderful coast. Jens is an advocate for international awareness of disability sailors, particularly for those with Multiple Sclerosis. You do huge work internationally—thank you for coming all this way to Australia to participate, and it’s nice to have you back in Sydney again.

Some of you are participating for a second or third time. I won’t name you all—that will become obvious in the presentation—but there are a couple of extraordinary milestones: Bridget Cannon—your 10th Sydney to Hobart! Congratulations! You’re beaten by Dr Annie Lawrence at the back—Annie, I think this is your 20th. John Whitfield—31 crossings, only to be beaten by Steve Grellis—32nd time!

I also acknowledge all patrons, board members, staff, and volunteers. I could go around the room and speak about each of you, but we’ve got special things to do, so time won’t permit. Representatives of the Primary Club of Australia—such a big supporter of this organization—in that splendid coat, I’m loving the representation today.

You’re all distinguished guests and very welcome here at Admiralty House. This place is a place of peace and welcome, where absolutely everybody belongs. Today, I’m particularly delighted to welcome you as a patron, and because today is International Day of People with Disability. Events are taking place across the world and the country to mark this important day. I’m so delighted that this is how we’re doing it—participating in a moment of recognition and celebration of the one in five Australians who live with a disability.

We’ll continue important conversations about inclusion and diversity, about the fact that everyone belongs. Many of you know I have many patronage roles that go to inclusion and belonging.

We’re all looking forward to watching the Kayle sail past shortly. It represents thousands of hours of hard work and dedication and the inclusive vision of Making Waves. In your busy final weeks preparing for the 80th Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, we’re lucky you’ve come ashore for a little time with us today.

The admirals of the Royal Navy’s Australian Squadron lived in this historic building between 1885 and 1913. It was a different building then—probably single-story. They left behind their family crests and insignia in the stained glass windows at the top of the stairs. If you didn’t glance up when you came in, please do—there are 15 crests and insignia that are part of the design. They look lovely in the afternoon light, though the light sometimes plays tricks.

I’m patron of Libraries Australia, and when I speak to them, I talk about how important it is to read—and that admirals liked to read. Everyone asks, “How do you know that?” I say, because if you look up at one crest at a certain time, it says “Always Read.” I thought that was great—the Admiralty encouraging us to read! Actually, it’s a trick of the light—it says “Always Ready.” I quite like that too.

I have no doubt they’d be proud to welcome sailors of your calibre here today. You all know the thrill of being out on the water, the importance of working collaboratively with your crewmates, and the confidence that comes from facing the unknown and acquiring new skills.

Your founder, David Pescud OAM, and the first crew of people with disability sailed in the 50th Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race in 1995—30 years ago. It’s a wonderful celebration of 30 years of this remarkable venture. Making Waves emerged soon after, with your first Winds of Joy program, establishing an extraordinary legacy of inclusion, inspiration, belonging, and meaning. From Winds of Joy to Winds of Change, Winds of Inspiration, Winds of Strength, and Winds of Care to the Rite of Passage—your programs are perfectly, evocatively named, promising beauty, opportunity, and adventure on the water and beyond.

The names you’ve chosen convey the programs’ transformative power to celebrate diversity and inclusion and give participants the gift of discovering their potential through sailing.

James Hunter, who’s on the crew, has said—and I’ll quote James: “You’re totally at the mercy of the waves out in the middle of Bass Strait. You have to rely on others. They have to rely on you. It’s a moment of deep reflection.” Certainly is. I can’t imagine, having never done the trip—I’d like to one day; I need to talk to a few people—but I’d love that moment of deep reflection about reliance on each other and absolute care for one another.

Just as importantly, you extend your program—like Winds of Care—to caregivers of people with disability. It’s such a meaningful gift of adventure that underpins connection and respect for the broader community—not just those with disability, but those who do the caring. A wonderful gesture, and one we don’t often see.

When I was sworn in as your Governor-General about 16 months ago, I promised to put care, kindness, and respect at the core of everything I do: care for each other, care for those who care for others, care for our continent and its environmental riches—and today, our oceans, seas, and harbours; care for civics and our institutions; and care for the way we discuss tough issues—with respect, not anger, judgment, rancour, or violence.

I also strive to do something the Prime Minister asked me to do when he asked me to serve: to be modern, visible, and optimistic. I try to embody that alongside those other words. I see the intersection between care and modernity, kindness and optimism, respect and visibility—and that tells us a lot about the strength and success of Australia as a mighty modern nation.

Those values intersect most potently when they uphold inclusion and diversity—where everyone belongs, where nobody is discriminated against.

I’m patron of many great Australian organizations that centre on care, kindness, respect, and belonging. I get to see the best of our country, particularly when it comes to disability. I’m patron of Bus Stop Films. They celebrate inclusive filmmaking programs, producing thought-provoking, moving, and highly entertaining films—and in the process, they change attitudes to the rights and contributions of people with disability, often with intellectual disability, both in front of and behind the camera.

They had a small group travel to Paris last year to sit in the studio for Paralympic Games coverage—to make sure the coverage met the needs of people with disability, rather than assuming how the Games should be covered.

I’ve seen what genuine inclusion looks like in world-class sporting competitions—just like your world-class sport. I’ve spoken to many athletes about inclusion—they know what it means not to be included and to be othered. We often talk about the elements of belonging these wonderful organisations speak to—alongside Project Independence. You may have heard of Project Independence—I’ve experienced the joy with residents, people with intellectual disabilities, who sign the deeds to their home for the first time, to occupy as confident, independent adults.

Bus Stop Films, Paralympics Australia, Project Independence, and Making Waves Foundation—you are the examples I use wherever I travel to talk about unique models of care, kindness, and respect that are truly inclusive and empowering.

At Making Waves, you’ve taken the immensity of the ocean and brought its lessons of strength, purpose, and transformation into the lives of more than 60,000 young Australians over 30 years. For many, that has meant emerging from isolation into community for the first time, from self-doubt into self-confidence, and from disadvantage to unleashing their potential.

As we reflect today on the International Day of People with Disability, we should call on us all to foster disability-inclusive societies. That’s what the day should be about. I’m delighted we’re using this day to celebrate you all and congratulate and thank Making Waves’ vision of an inclusive Australia—for everyone, on land and at sea.

Now, as you know, we’ve had challenging and changeable weather in recent weeks—I’ve experienced it on some small planes! Very windy, lots of rain, and heat. I hope as we head toward the Boxing Day start line that fair winds and following seas are with you all the way to Hobart. We’ll be watching—thank you.