Private Investiture for Mr Ernest Drew OAM

Mr Ernest Drew OAM, your family and friends; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen.

I begin by acknowledging the Original Custodians of the lands around Bundaberg, and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

I am delighted to welcome you all to this morning’s special investiture ceremony to present the Medal of the Order of Australia to Mr Ernest Drew, and to welcome him as a member of the Society of Honour created by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth the Second, when she gave approval, half a century ago, for Australia to have its own system of honours and awards.

Our system is unique because it enables any Australian to nominate a person they believe is worthy of acknowledgement for the contribution they have made to Australian society.  

It may be someone who has risen to international prominence in sport or science; it may be someone who has devoted a lifetime to advancing a particular field of endeavour; or it may be a friend, work colleague or neighbour who has quietly and generously given their time as a volunteer to support the community.  

What they all have in common is that they have made a positive difference, and our system of honours and awards is a way for us, as a nation, to thank them.

As Australians, we can also be proud of the integrity of our system. Every nomination is treated with the same impartiality, completely protected from political or other interference, and a national committee carefully considers each nomination before a recommendation is made to the Governor-General.  

Once approved by the Governor-General, the awards are announced on Australia Day and on the King’s Birthday each year and the names of those to be honoured in Queensland are then sent to me as Governor. 

Receiving those lists, presenting recipients with their honours and awards, and having the opportunity to speak with them and their families at an investiture ceremony is one of the most rewarding aspects of my role as Governor, and occasions like today’s — when I am able make a personal, private presentation — are particularly special.

My only regret today is that it has not been possible for Mr Drew to receive this honour in the Victorian community of Bendigo where he made such an enormous contribution to the lives of people with disability, particularly, as you have heard in the citation, those living with blindness or limited vision.

You may no longer live in Bendigo, Mr Drew, but that community certainly remembered you on the 26th of January this year when your name was announced in the Australia Day list as an Order of Australia Medal recipient. 

The Geelong Independent proudly published your citation as one of 11 medal recipients in the Greater Geelong area, and the newsletter of Blind Citizens Australia carried congratulations and thanks for your dedicated work as an advocate over many years, as well as for your contribution as President and committee member of the Geelong Branch of Blind Citizens Australia and in establishing the White Cane Walk in association with Guide Dogs Victoria.

There have been only 64 citizens of Bendigo who have ever been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in the half-century since Queen Elizabeth gave her approval for the establishment of the Order. For me, that statistic alone denotes Mr Drew’s honour as exceptional and I once again congratulate and thank him for his contribution.

I also thank Mr Drew’s family and friends for joining us today, as well as the staff and management of RV Lifestyle Village for their cooperation and assistance in organising today’s ceremony and morning tea, and I now invite you all to join us to celebrate this special day.