On his visit to Bellingen last weekend Governor David Hurley spoke with 2NVR Nambucca Valley radio's community radio host Rachel Burns. Here's what he had to say.
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Q. You are in Bellingen for the Sgt. Matthew Locke MG charity match. What is your involvement in this event?
A. We have been coming to the match for nine years now to support the Locke family and the community of Bellingen. We are also supporting that relationship between the military and the community that these games bring about. It also has a great bonus because it’s a charity fundraiser.
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Q. You have had a long military career. You are currently the N.S.W. Governor and will shortly be Australia’s Governor General.
A. Yes, I served in the military for 42 years. Going from N.S.W. Governor to Governor General is a change of direction and something I didn’t expect.
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Q. We wondered if your new role would mean you could bring some high up special guests to next year’s game? We were actually wondering if you might bring the Queen?
A. Oh, next time I see her, I’ll be sure to ask!
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Q. What kind of message do you think this event sends to the defence forces?
A. I think that this reminds the members of the ADF that they represent their community. By coming here today they are not just playing football but sending out a message that they are part of the community.
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Q. I was speaking with Debbie Locke about how the scope of the games has changed over the years. Today we have women playing in the matches.
A. Yes it was good to see the women’s tag games this morning. We also had the other two services come on board. The Air Force are here and it is good exposure for the young men and women involved in this sport.
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Q. Is it good exposure for the forces? We don’t get to see them much and it’s easy to forget they are just like us.
A. The vast majority of the army are in Northern Australia, in Townsville and Darwin. The air force are in Newcastle and Amberley. The navy are on the East and West coasts. So you don’t get to see them in everyday life so it’s good for them be here.
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Q. You, of course, are going to be Governor General. What is that going to mean for you?
A. We are just trying to work that out. We know what the job is about. It will be on a broader and larger scale than being governor. It has an international relationship role, welcoming guests to Australia. It’s national rather than just state. We just worry, maybe needlessly, that there won’t be the close interaction with people. We are just trying to think through what style and approach we bring to the job.
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Q. Does it involve a move?
A. Yes. To Canberra. We are in Sydney at the moment.
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Q. You said you have already met the Queen?
A. Yes. A couple of times in the military and when I became Governor. This will be our fourth time when we go over to, in a sense, finish off my current role and take up the new one.
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Q. We have a project just beginning in the Nambucca Valley called the We’re Here initiative. Its aim is to offer transitioning defence force personnel a welcome home in the valley. How does being in the defence forces change you and what kind of support do you need when you come back?
A. Being in the defence force changes you. You have a particular experience set. You grow up and it changes you. It sounds like a very worthy and important project to have a point of contact in an area people might be looking at for deployment or retirement.
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Q. I had a look at your biography and you come from Wollongong. Your father worked in the steel mills. What would your parents think of your success today?
A. We are from the Port Kembla area. My father worked for the Commonwealth Rolling Mills. Both my parents have unfortunately passed away but when the announcement was made my sister remarked, with a tear in her eye, that they would both be dancing up in heaven. I hope that’s the case.
