17 December 2020
To our Army,
Thank you for your effort, resilience, professional mastery and compassion in 2020.
Thousands of you, full and part time, supported fellow Australians during a time of need.
At home, you have worked with our emergency services and state agencies, you built teams, and you solved challenging problems.
You were an Army for the Nation and in the Community. You have shown what Good Soldiering is.
Around the world, and in our region, you worked with others, and helped others. We are all better for that.
This is what an Army in Motion does.
We must always ensure our nation’s trust.
To maintain trust we must be accountable, which is why we will act on the findings of the Brereton Report.
I am conscious these findings impact those serving, our veterans and families.
We must come together, and stay together, as One Army, and support each other through a difficult time.
If you need help, please reach out and ask, particularly over this holiday period.
We will learn, and we will ensure that this never happens again, anywhere or at any time in our Army.
Together we will emerge a more capable, and more effective Army, to strengthen our profession, to always be more Future Ready.
Always do the right thing, live our values, and be proud of your service.
I value and appreciate your service and the sacrifices you and your family make.
To families and all who support us, a very big and most sincere ‘thank you’.
It’s been a really big year, and I encourage you to take leave and come back refreshed in 2021.
Be mindful of state regulations around travel, and stay informed, as we know situations develop quickly.
For those who are posting interstate, I appreciate your understanding and patience with the process.
Safe travels and good luck in your new positions.
I am always inspired by your work and am immensely proud of your achievements.
Thank you for your service, and Good Soldiering.
- Lieutenant General Rick Burr, AO, DSC, MVO