Private Investiture Ceremony for Major Francis Roy Radford OAM CSM (Ret’d)

Ladies and gentlemen, Kaye and I are greatly honoured to be here for today’s Investiture Ceremony.

The presentation of Australian Honours and Awards is one the most important of a Governor’s ceremonial duties.

The Order of Australia – into which Major Radford will be formally invested today – sits at the pinnacle of the honours system. It is the highest recognition which can be bestowed for outstanding achievement and service to the community.

Significantly, nominations for Order of Australia recipients come directly from the community.

This means Major Radford’s own peers have recognised his service as exceptional.

This gives greater strength and substance to my being here today – to acknowledge Major Radford’s contributions on behalf of all Queenslanders.

Major Radford, Sir, I was greatly impressed by your citation. Despite your own significant service, you have devoted yourself to the advancement of the welfare of fellow veterans. Through your RSL work, you directly addressed great challenges – to the benefit of our society. For that, I thank you wholeheartedly.

I trust you find the formality of this ceremony, intimate as it is, invokes wider community appreciation for your contributions.

I acknowledge the comforting presence of your family here today, including wife Helen, who have also organised today’s hospitality. I thank the hospital support and care staff, including board member Mrs Nicole Hayes, for their assistance.

Finally, I acknowledge the presence of Councillor Kurt Rehbein and Mr Bill Whitburn, President of the Townsville RSL Sub Branch – your presence brings to an accent the importance of today’s ceremony.

To Major Radford, I once again thank you for your service to Townsville, to veterans, and to our State. Kaye and I wish you all the very best for your convalescence.