Deepavali Morning Tea at Government House

In the festival of lights ceremony to light the lamps, the chanting of the mantras, the flowers, music and colours, you have brought light, beauty and energy to Yarralumla in celebrating Deepavali. 

I also want to wish all Hindu Australians a very happy celebration of Deepavali on 1 November. 

It is such an honour to light first celebratory lamp here with you at Government House. 

I have been looking forward to today’s event for some time, and this morning has been truly beautiful and so meaningful. 

My husband, Simeon, sends his apologies and I know he is so disappointed not to be celebrating with you all today. 

Thank you. 

Former Governor-General Hurley and Mrs Hurley had deep affection and respect for the Indian community in Australia, in all its diversity. 

Their friendship with you was an important bond that I am proud to preserve and advance as your Governor-General. 

I spent a wonderful evening in Brisbane recently at the Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia conference. 

Listening to and learning from the many organisations representing so many different migrant communities, I felt the extraordinary energy of multicultural Australia. 

And I saw multiculturalism as the beating heart of modern, optimistic and vibrant Australia. 

The Indian diaspora communities – as communities of faith, culture, language, family and friendship – are central to Australia’s multicultural story. 

It is a story we must tell together – just as we are today – boldly, exuberantly and often. 

In Brisbane I spoke of the many versions of multiculturalism that have evolved over the generations.  

I reflected that the migrants of the 1970s could never have imagined a Deepavali festival taking place at Government House in Canberra in 2024. 

Nor would they have been able to describe what I now see every time I welcome young Australian students here. 

In class groups that brim with diversity, first-, second- and third-generation Indian–Australians are full of joy, enthusiasm and determination to contribute to, and lead, Australia into the future. 

It is for this reason that I know this coming summer of cricket will foreshadow something of all our tomorrows. 

With the men facing off in the five Test Border–Gavaskar series … 

… and the women testing each other in three one-day international matches …

Your homes across Australia will argue the toss between Australia and India – with those younger Australians barracking for the green and gold.  

Perhaps the only solution is to simply enjoy the beauty of the great game of cricket played at the highest level of excellence. 

As Australians, we cherish our free, open and democratic spirit that is framed by the related and equally important elements of our Indigenous foundations, our British institutions, and our remarkable multicultural present and future.  

Joining you today, I know that I am filled with optimism for that future. 

As you work with and for the future of our nation, you affirm diversity as the strength of who we are, and who we seek to be. 

For my term as your Governor-General, I have committed to elevate care, kindness and respect. 

Care for each other, care for those who care for others, care for our extraordinary continent and its environmental beauty, care for civics and institutions.  

So, today, it is so wonderful that we celebrate the care, kindness and respect of the Indian community in Australia is brighter than the light of the diya, and the source of great hope. 

In every way, it mirrors the beauty we find at Deepavali, when goodness, truth, peace, and harmony are ushered into the world to triumph over darkness. 

I will long remember the joy, symbolism and friendship of this morning. 

Thank you to you all, and especially to the Hindu Council of Australia, for sharing the beauty of this wonderful festival with us here at Government House.