Good morning all and welcome to a magnificent Canberra morning that is also I think a very special Canberra morning. 

I’m going to start by breaching every piece of protocol that I’ve learned by thanking the RMC Band, the Guard as well, if you might join me in putting your hands together for this magnificent group of Australians.

Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn, Governor-General of Australia, Ms Meghan Quinn, the Secretary of the Department of Defence, former Chiefs of the Defence Force Admiral Chris Barrie, Air Chief Marshal Sir Angus Houston, General the Honourable David Hurley, and what was going to be Mark Binskin but he sadly is unwell this morning and decided not to offer that gift to us. 

Former Service Chiefs, members of the Service Attaché and Advisers Group, Secretaries, Directors-General, distinguished guests, Defence colleagues, family and friends. 

Thank you all for joining us here today. 

This, as we heard, is NAIDOC Week and I begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we meet, the Ngunnawal people. I pay my respects to their Elders past, present and emerging, and I also recognise all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders who have served in our country’s uniform and continue to do so. 

When I commenced in this role, I came with a clear purpose – to build on the strong foundations left to me and leave the ADF even stronger for those who follow. 

I set four focus areas, which guided my approach: 

First, ensuring the ADF is fit for purpose and ready today, by building a larger, more lethal and more prepared force, in line with the Government’s National Defence Strategy. 

Second, our people. Growing and retaining the workforce by supporting those who are committed to service, and who uphold the traditions and values of this national institution. 

Third, to make the most of our exceptional people talent. We have continued to evolve the ADF into a high-performance team of people where everyone can be safe, supported and able to bring their best to our mission. 

Finally, using our resources better, improving how we innovate and deliver complex capability so it reaches our people faster and more effectively. Recent conflicts have reinforced just how significant a combat advantage this can provide. 

These priorities have guided how I have led the organisation, and how I have measured both our progress and my own performance. 

Defence is improving in all of these areas. Today we are a larger, more capable, stronger Force that is better able to defend Australia and its interests. This is due to the efforts of each and every one of our people. This is an ADF of which Australia can be proud. 

Of course, the improvement and modernisation of the ADF is a continuous and ongoing effort. There is no ‘end state’ and it will never be complete. 

With the conclusion of my service, I now hand this important task over to Admiral Mark Hammond, who will continue to steward the ADF and Defence. 

Mark brings a wealth of experience and knowledge from the wide variety of appointments he has had across his career. 

He has extensive operational experience from his time aboard submarines, including his Command of HMAS Farncomb, and as Director General of Maritime Operations. 

He oversaw substantial force generation efforts as the Deputy Chief of Navy and Commander of the Australian Fleet, growing and enhancing the resilience of Navy’s workforce. 

As Chief of Navy he has led Navy through the 2023 Defence Strategic Review, and 24 and 26 National Defence Strategies. 

He will also be the first Chief of the Defence Force to have started his career as an enlisted member. 

And importantly, he has a strong abiding interest and deeply cares for ADF people and our families. 

Mark is an example of opportunity, hard work and achieving results, and he will fill this role with distinction. 

Mark, I wish you – and Jodi, Josh and Jessica – all the best, and every success as the Chief of the Defence Force. This role has many challenges, and places great demands on both you, and your family. But I know you will rise to meet them, and lead the ADF with Service, Courage, Respect, Integrity and Excellence. 

I also want to extend my best wishes to the incoming leadership team: Vice Admiral Matt Buckley, the Chief of Navy; Lieutenant General Susan Coyle, Chief of Army; and Air Marshal Glen Braz, Chief of Joint Capabilities. You are all extremely capable leaders, and I have the utmost confidence in each of you to lead your people through whatever challenges may lie ahead. 

And to Lieutenant General Simon Stuart, who is retiring as the outgoing Chief of Army, I would like to offer my sincere congratulations on what has been a remarkable career. Across your almost 4 decades of service, you have made a significant contribution to the Australian Army, the ADF and Defence. 

I also recognise Warrant Officer Ken Robertson, hard to miss, our inaugural Senior Enlisted Adviser to the CDF who also finishes today. Ken’s excellence throughout his career has set the standard for others. I have been the grateful recipient of Ken’s wisdom, his candour, his good humour and perhaps a few footy tips. 

I wish you both the best with your future endeavours. 

For my part, it has been an honour to serve as your Chief of the Defence Force for these last 2 years. Having served for nearly 5 decades across a variety of roles, this is a bittersweet moment. I am particularly grateful to be joined by Ian, Brad, Andy and Peter, all who started with me at the Naval College all those decades ago. 

Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to lead, learn and work alongside amazing people of all ranks and backgrounds – members of all three Services, Australian Public Servants, contractors and our international partners. Without question, the consistent element that has had the greatest impact on me throughout this career is the people with whom I have had the privilege of working. 

In my seagoing life, the operational commands and here at Russell, I have observed time and time again the remarkable commitment, endeavour and resilience of our Defence community. 

As such, I thank the men and the women of the Australian Defence Force, of all ranks and Services, for your sacrifices and dedication to our mission.

I also acknowledge my Australian Public Service colleagues, both in Defence and across the departments and agencies, who work, shoulder to shoulder, with us to progress our national objectives. It is a true team effort, and we are stronger because of it. 

I have been extremely fortunate to work alongside extraordinary leaders over the last 12 years. In particular, the other half of the diarchy, Ms Meghan Quinn, her predecessor Greg Moriarty and Dennis Richardson. 

Service life has a significant impact to Defence families, and here I acknowledge our Defence families and express my heartfelt gratitude for their support to me and to all of us in Defence. 

I would especially like to thank the many friends who have supported my family, some of who are here today. And to my own family – Belinda, my wonderful wife, Ellie and her husband Jake, and Aidan and my sisters – my heartfelt gratitude for the support you have given to me, not just as the Chief of the Defence Force, but throughout this career. From long periods of absence, missed personal milestones to the many relocations, I cannot express how grateful I am to have had you by my side. 

And to show just how much I admire Belinda, as a final reflection, I will borrow some of her words from a recent speech she gave to Defence families. 

I am certain that most of you will have heard me, and Defence’s senior leaders, say that people are Defence’s most important capability. 

From an enterprise perspective, this is unquestionably true, but I speak to you now on a more personal level. 

Somehow, out of the unpredictability and challenges of service, something remarkable grows: partnerships, resilience, community and lifelong friendships. 

The bonds formed through this life are real and lasting. They remain long after postings and uniforms have changed, and careers have concluded. 

And that, I think, is perhaps the greatest gift of service life. 

I wish you all fair winds and following seas. 

Thank you.