Geoff Clark:

"I have a black arm-band view of history and I'm proud of it. [applause] I also stand here before you as a Tjapwuurong man and I'm also proud of that. It is our custom as I acknowledge the traditional owners of this land the Eora people. I thank you for your warm welcome to country and permission to speak on your traditional lands, Aboriginal land. I'd also like to acknowledge the many dignitaries here today, including His Excellency the Governor-General, the Prime Minister, the leaders of the Opposition, State premiers and other political and community leaders. I had the pleasure of being invited to Government House last week, I must say I was also nervous and reached for the rule book. But there was none. But I thank you for the lovely cup of tea. [laughter & applause]. I'd also like to acknowledge the letter I received last week from a 90-year-old former digger, he's in the Narrabeen Veterans Home. And he wrote to me, and he said 'I'm ninety years of age, but you give me hope.' I'd like to say to him, 'If I give you hope, old mate, you give me strength.' [applause]"