Today, we celebrate a momentous occasion as Sam Mostyn AC, our former board chair, has been sworn in as Australia’s 28th Governor-General.
“I stand here now as Australia’s 28th Governor-General immensely conscious of this great honour and privilege,” Ms Mostyn said this morning at a formal ceremony in the Senate chamber at Parliament House that included a guard-of-honour.
Delivering a powerful speech focused on optimism, unity and care, Ms Mostyn explained she’s spent a lot of time reflecting on comments made by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese when announcing her appointment: “You saw a modern optimistic Governor-General, capable of uniting and celebrating the very best of Australia,” she said.
“In the past few months since accepting the position, I have reflected deeply on your words. I have had to ask myself many questions about the role and impact of the office of Governor-General in 2024.
“I decided there was only one way to answer these questions, to get on the road and listen to people. Listen carefully to those with unique experiences and insights.”
Ms Mostyn, whose CV includes working as a lawyer but also spans the corporate sector, the community sector, sport and the arts in numerous board and executive roles, says she also spent time speaking to Australians across the country:
“Every day I met impressive Australians who do not hold high office or any office at all. I listened to them in airports, shopping centres, on the boundaries of sporting grounds, in theatre foyers and galleries and just often on the street,” she said.
“Women and men and often children stop me regularly to talk about this country they love. Across a wide range of backgrounds, life experiences and opinions, all of them wished for a brighter future for Australia.
“A desire for unity and optimism, a renewed sense of national possibility in building the future together. It struck me that the former Governors-General whom I met expressed the same desires for this country in almost the same words as did everyday Australians.
“They also reminded me that the role of governor-general is not simply to be an observer of an Australian life, but to be a participant. To reflect the Australian character and its fundamentally democratic spirit.”
Ahead of the ceremony, the Prime Minister praised Ms Mostyn’s “dignity, compassion, hard work and integrity.”
With an extensive resume that includes Australia’s first female AFL commissioner, chair of the federal government’s Women’s Economic Equality Taskforce, and former roles with Reconciliation Australia, Beyond Blue, the Australia Council for the Art and the National Mental Health Commission, “She’s someone who’s eminently qualified,” noted the Prime Minister. “I think she’ll be an outstanding leader for our nation.”
Ms Mostyn replaces former Chief of Defense, David Hurley, and is the second woman after Dame Quentin Bryce to hold the nation’s highest office.
Invoking Indigenous leader and prominent Yes campaigner Noel Pearson in her speech, Ms. Mostyn said she often reflected on a speech where Mr. Pearson illustrated a “three-part portrait of our nation,” encompassing the 65,000 years of Indigenous culture, its British institutions, and its remarkable multicultural present and future:
“Noel’s words capture so much of what is mighty about this country, the things we should celebrate, be thankful for, and fight to strengthen.
“We are a country with extraordinary advantages of geography and resources and the generous sharing of the oldest continuing culture in the world. A country that since the end of World War II, in less time than an average life span, has welcomed 7.5 million migrants, including 950,000 refugees to our country.”
Ms Mostyn also touched on her long-history advocating for causes she believes in – including diversity and inclusion, gender parity, domestic violence, sports and arts and culture – stating that challenges including violence against women and rising economic inequality were “placing strains” on Australians’ confidence in their country.
“Despite all these challenges, I will always feel tremendous optimism for Australia,” said Ms Mostyn, who was accompanied by her husband Simeon Beckett and their daughter Lottie at Parliament house.
Speaking of her hopes for a future Australia, “If I can capture in a few words my aspirations for our country, I believe these testing times call for an unstinting focus on kindness, on care and on respect,” said Ms Mostyn.
“Care is that gentle thought and the outstretched hand that Australians have always been ready to share when great challenges present themselves.
“Care is the quieter better part of ourselves and it is that sense of care that Simeon and I will seek to depict and amplify as we take on this role.”
During her four years as Chair of the Albert Group Services board, Ms Mostyn exemplified the profound care and commitment that she highlighted in her speech. Her thoughtful leadership was defined by an unwavering dedication to our organisation, from the nurturing of our history and legacy, to deep care for our people, planet and a sustainable future for all. We are immensely proud to see Sam’s compassion, optimism, fostering of unity and visionary approach now extended to serve our entire nation.
Said Alberts CEO, David Albert, upon the news of Ms Mostyn’s new appointment: “We have had the benefit of a leader who, as the Prime Minister said, is a truly modern leader, a true pioneer, and when we think about pioneers, they are someone who is driven to leave the world a better and fairer place than they found it, and that’s Sam.”
As Ms Mostyn steps into her new five-year tenure as the King’s representative in Australia, she today said she views her role as Governor-General as “not simply to be an observer of Australian life, but to be a participant – to reflect the Australian character and its fundamental democratic spirit.
“I will be an optimistic, modern and visible governor-general, committed to the service and contribution that all Australians expect and deserve from the holder of this office.
“I will remain alive to changing expectations and needs, whilst holding fast to the respect for the role and its place in our peaceful democracy.
“As long as I hold this post, I will do my utmost to reflect your thoughts and aspirations,” she added. “We can be optimistic, confident and proud as we build our extraordinary nation’s future together.”
Wishing our new Governor-General every success!
