Chelsea Pensioners’ Annual Cake Ceremony 2021-Seasons Greetings - UK/Qld/Aus relations

On 8 December 2021, it was the Queensland Agent-General, representing the Queensland Government, the?Returned & Services League of Australia?Queensland state branch and all Australians, turn to host the annual Cake Ceremony at the Royal Hospital Chelsea for the?Chelsea Pensioners, a tradition dating back to 1949.

I am grateful to Ms Samantha Cohen CVO, a Queenslander, who delivered the following remarks on my behalf due to my having to return to Queensland earlier than originally planned.

Chelsea Pensioners’ Annual Cake Ceremony 2021

Esteemed In-Pensioners, Governor – General Sir Adrian Bradshaw KCB, OBE, DL, Agents-General for Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia, Councillor Gerard Hargreaves, The Mayor of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, Councillor Cem Kemahli, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, Staff of the Royal Chelsea Hospital, Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.My name is Samantha Cohen, I am the Chief Executive of the?Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council. I am honoured as a fellow Queenslander that Ms Linda Apelt, Agent-General for Queensland has asked me to represent her, the Queensland Government, the Returned & Services League of Australia Queensland state branch and all of my fellow Australians today at this very special ceremony.

Firstly, on behalf of Linda Apelt, the 37th Queensland Agent-General I send her apologies today.?Linda regrets very much she cannot be here with us today however owing to the changing availability of flights to Australia due to the pandemic, she has concluded her posting a week earlier than expected and returned to Queensland.

I am honoured, however, to represent Queensland’s Agent-General to keep this much loved and very worthy tradition going. I am now delighted to read to you the Agent-General’s brief remarks reflecting on this longstanding tradition with the Cake Ceremony here at Royal Chelsea Hospital.?

Agent-General for Queensland’s Message

Governor, fellow Agents-General, Mr Mayor, In-pensioners, ladies and gentleman.

COVID-19

It would be remiss of me not mention the elephant in the room, COVID-19 and its variants, indeed how it has enormously changed our lives. So much so, that I am sadly not with you today.

Yet, it pleases me greatly that you all can meet again, face-to-face, indoors at this marvellous institution and continue this important ceremony between Australia and Britain and our servicemen and women, particularly surrounding Christmas time.

The past 20 months have been like no other for a very long-time, especially during a peace time period but we can be extremely proud of our respective servicemen and women who have contributed significantly here in the United Kingdom and at home in Australia to support the emergency response and now recovery efforts during the pandemic.

I would also like to acknowledge the brilliant, hard-working and tireless efforts our healthcare workers and carers globally, including the outstanding staff of the Royal Chelsea Hospital, who support and care for the In-Pensioners we are celebrating today. Thank you.

History of the Cake Ceremony

Just over 70 years ago, in 1949, this wonderful tradition commenced. It is an enduring symbol of the friendship between Australia and the United Kingdom.

During World War 1, the Agent-Generals in London would receive and distribute dried fruit from Australia, to feed and lift the spirits of our troops. And, this cake today, rich in fruit, is a small reflection and reminder of that tradition. Annually, we rotate this tradition amongst the Australian State Offices in London and the Australian Defence Force section in London where state representation is not present.

At this ceremony, we give thanks for the service and sacrifices of our servicemen and women and we do so during Christmas as this season brings the message of hope. We meet also to give thanks and hope for the continued and enduring friendship between Australia and the United Kingdom.

Australia-United Kingdom Relationship

As I departed last week, I reflected on what a remarkable time it has been to be the Agent-General for Queensland over the past four and half years. For a peace-time period it has certainly been one of our most challenging times, yet through it all, the Australia-United Kingdom relationship has arguably never been stronger.?In fact, I think we have grown stronger because of our shared histories and future aspirations.

Then our offices worked to support the war time efforts and today we cooperate to face the modern challenges of the world we live in.?That’s what friends do. I am confident we will remain faithful and fair to each other as we navigate our futures because of these enduring values and commitments.

A big highlight of the relationship this year, which the High Commissioner and my fellow Agents-General have been focused on, has been the?Australia-UK Free Trade Agreement. One of our most ambitious and modern trade agreements, it reflects the needs of our modern economies. Yet, is far more than just a trade agreement.?Because of our shared history and mateship, it demonstrates mutual recognition and allows for greater cultural exchange and movement between our two nations.

Season of Culture

This year the Australian High Commission, together with the British Council and our State Government offices are celebrating the?Australia-UK Season of Culture. The Season, initiated by our High Commissioner, will share our histories and tell our modern stories through arts, academia and culture and further strengthen our timeless bonds. Its theme, ‘Who are we now?’ is shaped to demonstrate this. It collectively aims to gain a deeper understanding about where we have come from, who we are now, and where we can go together. It’s exciting!?

I leave confident knowing that the Australia-United Kingdom relationship has arguably never been stronger – united in our values, our way of life, our sharing of culture and community and is strengthened by the undeniable willingness to cooperate politically, economically, militarily and indeed socially.

Queensland is honoured to host today

It would be remiss of me not to mention our friendly rivalries too, particularly on the sports fields of Britain and Australia.?I might not dwell on the rugby today but I can certainly call upon the cricket! In fact, today at the Gabba in Brisbane, we commenced one of our finest and world-renowned sporting traditions, the Ashes! We won’t the mention the score. Based on form, you must admit, we stand a pretty good chance too!?

And, in Queensland we are absolutely thrilled and excited that we’ve secured the?Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2032. Like London in 2012, we are confident we can deliver a defining and memorable games for all.?

In 2018, I was pleased to learn that in-Pensioner Peter Henry visited the Gold Coast to attend the 2018 Commonwealth Games.?Peter told me he wore his uniform to the games which would have been very memorable for Queenslanders. I am sure Peter can confirm that Queenslanders love sport, and we also love to host our mates.

We are also proud and lucky to be home to some of the most beautiful places in the world.

So, we look forward to inviting you all into our backyard in just over a decade. We believe we can deliver one of the most sustainable and memorable Games on record.

Conclusion

So, in closing, as we cut the cake and share the delicious flavours, let us not forget the sacrifice and service of our Defence Forces, both Britain and Australia’s outstanding men and women in uniform, who help protect us daily.?We are forever grateful for your service.

On behalf of the Queensland Government, the Returned Servicemen and Women and the whole of the Queensland and Australian community, it is our pleasure and delight to share this cake with you the wonderful Chelsea Pensioners and your brilliant carers at Christmastime.

Today, In-Pensioner Anthony Judge has been nominated to be the official cake-cutter for this year’s ceremony. He had a distinguished service record of 24 years serving in the UK, Cyprus, Germany and Hong Kong, and worked in Sydney between 2003 and 2004 and has close family resident in Australia

Thank you and Season’s Greetings to all and warmest wishes for the coming year.

**?Photos courtesy of the Royal Hospital Chelsea and Trade and Investment Queensland Europe Office