Australia Day Message
25-January-2011
Australia Day is a time to celebrate our nation’s achievements and a time to reflect on the values that we cherish.
It is a time to celebrate our national heroes and to cherish the things that continue to make Australia the lucky country.
Recent floods may have devastated parts of our nation, but they have not dampened the Australian spirit. If anything, it is disasters like these that bring us together as a nation and showcase the grit, determination and camaraderie of everyday Australians.
During times of adversity, Australians know how to dig deep and pull together. When we get knocked over, we get back up and we rebuild.
The spirit of volunteerism remains a bedrock of Australian culture and it is one of which we can be immensely proud. From the men and women of the SES and the CFA to the Rotary clubs, Apex clubs, Lions clubs, through to the CWA and other community organisations that contribute so much to our society. These volunteers willingly give of their own time to help communities in times of crisis and they are the unsung heroes of Australia.
Australia Day is also an occasion for reflections on Australia’s national journey. It gives us a chance to look back on our history, to feel pride in our achievements and to celebrate what is great and unique about our nation.
It is a time to honour the bravery of our troops who are posted in various parts of the world, fighting to maintain international peace and stability and safeguarding Australia’s security in the process.
And it is also a time to celebrate the Australian way of life. We are a people that believe in a ‘fair go’. We value mateship and honesty. We also value our freedom and our strong democratic traditions that have stood the test of time.
In 2011, there will undoubtedly be more challenges for Australia but we can feel confident that the national values that we have developed over centuries will enable us to effectively shape our future.