Monday, 1 July 2024
Government House
Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC

Bujari gamarruwa

Diyn Babana Gamarada Gadigal Ngura

Welcome to Government House Sydney in the language of the Gadigal, the Traditional Owners of these lands and waterways. In greeting you in these words, I pay my respects to their Elders past, present, and emerging, as well as the Elders of all parts of our State from which you have travelled.

There is another phrase in Gadigal – Eora bujeri – ‘good people’. It is a phrase undoubtedly describing many gathered in this room but, in particular, the wonderful individuals and organisations we celebrate tonight through the Humanitarian Awards.

Four years ago, I spoke for the first time at these awards. It was 2020, and so – by virtue of the times – I was forced to speak virtually. The pandemic necessitating such online workarounds has, of course, abated. Many other global challenges, however, have only increased; challenges, distressingly, too often provoked by the worst of humanity and its treatment of each other: people driven from their homes by war or persecution, torn from family, friends, and community, people whose very survival – let alone safe and secure futures – is daily under threat.

Last month, the UNHCR updated its Global Trends report, showing that nearly 120 million people were forcibly displaced last year[1], marking the 12^th consecutive annual increase in this figure.[2]

Just over a third[3] were refugees – an increase of nearly 3 million over the year[4] – not only seeking protection beyond their country’s borders, but also carrying the scars and complex traumas caused by the circumstances forcing them to flee.

In the face of this rising darkness, however, is hope. The light brought by the efforts – heartening, humbling, and inspiring – of people like those being recognised tonight. They exemplify the best of humanity, of the potential for us as individuals and communities to welcome, heal, and empower those seeking refuge.

We will hear some of their stories shortly. The impact of their actions – small, large, and in-between – are lifelong and generational.

Before that, a thank you to the organisations behind these awards – The NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Trauma and Torture STARTTS, of which Dennis and I are proud Patrons, and the Refugee Council of Australia.

Both agencies not only advocate for refugees and asylum seekers – through awareness-raising, policy research, and education programs – but also help facilitate the direct, practical, and compassionate support they deserve.

For instance, the number of people referred to STARTTS over the course of its 36-year history is approaching 100,000.[5] Last year, they provided individual counselling and group support services to nearly 8,000 clients in NSW from more than 100 refugee communities, close to a quarter of whom live in rural and regional areas[6].

Tonight, we celebrate the fundamental spirit of humanity that drives efforts such as these, the impacts they deliver, and, most importantly, the people responsible for them – some of whom arrived here themselves as refugees.

To those people – to you, the awardees in these, the 16^th NSW Humanitarian Awards; to all your colleagues, supporters, friends, and family – what can I say?

For your inspirational example, for the light you bring to so many, for your part in building more inclusive and embracing communities, for enriching us: the biggest, the warmest, the most heartfelt,

Thank you

[1] The exact figure is 117.3 million: UNHCR Global Trends Report 2023, June 2024, available here

[2] ‘Worldwide Levels of Forced Displacement Hit New High: UNHCR’, United Nations UN News Website, 12 June 2024, available here.

[3] 43.4 million “refugees and those needing international protection … based on UNHCR and UNWRA mandates”: ibid.

[4] In 2022, there were a total of 40.4 million refugees and those needing international protection based on UNHCR and UNWRA mandates: UNHCR Global Trends Report 2022, June 2023, available here.

[5] Exact figure is 98,632; provided by STARTTS.

[6] 7,962 clients, 1,848 of whom live in rural and regional NSW; provided by STARTTS.