6 December 2024
Transcript
Everywhere I've travelled around our army this year—in the field or at our bases, at home across the breadth of Australia or abroad, in our region or beyond alongside our ADF team mates, or with our allies and partners—I've been impressed by your commitment and your initiative, energised by the pace at which we are transforming our army, and deeply grateful to be serving alongside you.
Together we’ve achieved a great deal. We have built individual resilience, cohesive teams and we’ve embraced the challenging task of maintaining our readiness.
What we’ve achieved in 2024 is nothing short of remarkable. But I’m most proud of the way in which we’ve gone about things with humility, quiet professionalism and resolve.
We have worked every day to build trust in our teams and trust in our community.
Of course, none of this year's achievements would have been possible without the support of our families and our loved ones.
Life as an army family has both its challenges and its rewards. I thank you for your commitment, your perseverance and your good humour.
As we prepare to come together as families this Christmas, our thoughts and our prayers are with those families who have lost their loved ones in service.
I'm conscious that many will be posting to new locations, new places to live, new jobs, schools and friends. Don't forget that help is available if you need it.
For those deployed or working at home and abroad this Christmas, my sincere thanks.
Take good care. Thank you all for your service in our army—an army in the community and an army for our nation.