Head, Royal Australian Corps of Signals, Brigadier Deane Limmer CSM; Queensland Commandant, RASIGS, Colonel James Roche; Defence Advisor for Australia, representing the United Kingdom, Brigadier Nigel Best OBE; Representatives of the Royal Corps of Signals of the British Army; Representing the Queensland Police Commissioner, Acting Chief Superintendent Janelle Andrews; Captain Neil Bielby; players and coaches; sponsors; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen.
I wish to first acknowledge the Original Custodians of the lands around Brisbane, the Turrbal and Jagera people, and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and to any First Nations people here today.
I am delighted to be part of today’s centenary celebrations for the Royal Australian Corps of Signals, and I congratulate both teams for playing such a tremendous rugby match to honour this incredible milestone.
Regardless of whether you call Australia or the United Kingdom home—it is wonderful to see all players connected by the sense of commitment and comradery that is also reflected in our defence forces, and in the wider relationship between our two countries.
This fellowship makes us so much stronger, and I am proud that one hundred years after the Royal Australian Corps of Signals was formally established, our Corps and its British counterpart—who both feature the Roman Messenger God Mercury on their badges—are continuing to forge ties that honour our shared past, but also look so determinedly to the future.
There have, of course, been seismic shifts in signalling since Gallipoli, when even before our Australian Corps was officially formed, signal engineers were risking their lives to ensure effective communications on the battlefield.
This dedication to service continued during World War Two and has supported out country’s efforts in all military and peace-keeping campaigns since.
Now, as technology continues to evolve at a breathtaking pace, we rely on the immense expertise and abilities of the members of the Royal Australian Corps of Signals to keep us safe and secure against a backdrop of ever-increasing sophistication and complexity.
In its history, the Corps has certainly lived up to its motto ‘Certa Cito’ [pron: serta seeto] —Swift and Sure—and while I know this is an essential requirement of the role of a signaller, it was a thrill to see these qualities also demonstrated on the rugby field.
Additionally, as the roles of those in the defence forces are often stressful and challenging, I am so pleased to see this centenary milestone being celebrated through team sport, which is enormously beneficial in promoting physical and mental resilience…not to mention it’s also great fun for the spectators as well as the participants.
Today’s match is the first of three between the teams of the Royal Australian Corps of Signals and the Royal Corps of Signals Rugby Clubs, and I can’t think of a more fitting way to herald in tonight’s Queensland Reds / Lions clash at the Suncorp Stadium!
Congratulations for 100 years of outstanding service to our nation and enjoy this very special “tour of duty”!
