Excerpt of a speech by Patrick Gorman, assistant minister to the Prime Minister, at a National Australia Day Council welcome dinner held at the National Museum of Australia in Canberra on Monday, January 23, 2023. 

I’d like to welcome you all to Canberra. It truly is a glorious spot to welcome our 2023 nominees.

A place where stories are told and our history is kept alive.

Just around the corner, we have Queen Elizabeth II’s iconic car for her 1950s Australian royal tour: a Daimler DE 36hp with the most modern of air conditioning and luxuries of 1954.

I look forward to getting to know each of you better, after meeting many of you at the state and territory events. 

I’d like to share some tips for the week.

First, be proud. You have all earned your place to be here. While the grand lawns of Government House and the Prime Minister’s Lodge might be a little different to your average day, you will be in the most welcoming company this week.

I can vouch for the Governor-General and the Prime Minister that they are so excited and humbled to meet you all. 

Second, you will all walk away with a greater platform to continue your work. I know we have 32 nominees but just four national winners.

So for those who don’t win, can I say, as Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister, it is not all about who has the top job.

Because regardless of who might be standing up on the night, you will connect and learn from each other. You will grow even more from this experience.

And I have no doubt your achievements will be celebrated in places such as where we are tonight.

Third, have some fun. Look around the room. This has to be one of the most humbling rooms I have been in.

The best of Australia’s humanity is right here. So I look forward to feeling out of place all week.

Lastly, smile bright in every photo, introduce yourself to as many people, and say yes to every opportunity.

This week will be a pinch me moment you will never forget.