Celebration of the 125th birthday of the Australian Army

Representing the Premier of Queensland, Assistant Minister to the Premier on Matters of State and New Citizens, and Leader of the House, Dr Christian Rowan MP; representing the Leader of the Opposition, Member for Ferny Grove, the Honourable Mark Furner MP; Federal Member for Brisbane, Ms Madonna Jarrett MP; Representing the Lord Mayor of Brisbane, Councillor Steven Toomey; Commander of the 1^st Australian Division, Major General Ash Collingburn AM DSM; Major General Stuart Smith AO DSC (Ret’d); representing Major General Stephen Day, RSL Queensland Deputy State President, Mrs Wendy Taylor; President RSL South Eastern District,  Mr Kerry Gallagher AM; President Legacy Brisbane, Dr Annabel McGuire; President United Service Club, Major General Darryl Low Choy AM MBE RFD; Australian Defence Force senior leaders and serving members; veterans and veteran support organisations; distinguished guests.

I begin by acknowledging 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 tonight.

Graeme and I are delighted to join you this evening to acknowledge and celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Australian Army’s remarkable service, sacrifice and commitment to our nation.

As Governor and the Honorary Colonel of the Royal Queensland Regiment, I am proud to join you in celebrating this significant national milestone, and in honouring the service of our soldiers, our veterans, reservists and their families.

Graeme and I have strong personal ties to — and a deep respect for — the Australian Defence Force.

Last August, we were honoured to attend commemorative events in Townsville marking the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Pacific. We also hosted a reception at Government House for senior leaders involved in the strategically significant Talisman Sabre exercises.

In November, we were present for the visit to Gallipoli Barracks of Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, accompanied by Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, to mark the centenary of the Royal Australian Corps of Signals, of which she is Colonel-in-Chief — a memorable occasion for our State and for the Defence community here in Brisbane, and for us also.

While tonight’s event recognises the Australian Army, I also acknowledge the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Airforce, which are respectively celebrating their own 125 and 105 years of service.

Tomorrow marks a significant date in the evolution of our nation.

Following Federation, on the first of March in 1901, the then disparate Australian colonial forces were amalgamated to form a unified national army. Initially known as the Commonwealth Military Forces,[4] the Australian Army — as it came to be known — has not only safeguarded our freedoms and embodied the highest ideals of service, it has shaped our nation’s character.

Queensland has played a central role in the Army’s story. Our State has raised battalions, trained generations of soldiers, and welcomed home countless men and women who have served with distinction.

And Queenslanders will never forget the soldiers who have stood beside our communities during floods, fires, cyclones and national emergencies.

These acts of service, often far from the battlefield or peacekeeping and humanitarian missions abroad, reflect the humanity and compassion that define the Australian soldier.

You truly are an Army for our Nation, and an Army in our community.

Anniversaries such as this also serve as an opportunity to look forward. We are a pivotal moment for our national security, in an increasingly complex and uncertain world. Australia’s National Defence Strategy outlines the ambitious transformation of the ADF to ensure peace, security and prosperity are maintained in our region.

I commend all of you for the important roles you are playing to bolster our defence capabilities, respond to the challenging advances in warfare technologies and to the changing threat landscape.

On behalf of all Queenslanders, I sincerely thank the Australian Army for its 125 years of distinguished service to ensure peace and prosperity for all.