I had the privilege of speaking with service members and veterans from all walks of life. Each conversation revealed a powerful story of dedication, courage and mateship. These qualities have long been associated with our service personnel and were evident in every interaction throughout the day.

On this sacred day of remembrance, we reflect on their service with gratitude. We pay tribute to those we’ve lost, holding their memory close. Together as a community, we reaffirm our commitment to the values they fought for – values that continue to shape our nation.

Lest we forget.

The Palawa Business Hub represents an important milestone in creating pathways for Aboriginal enterprise and leadership within our economic landscape. Their focused approach to supporting Aboriginal business development addresses unique challenges and opportunities faced by these entrepreneurs.

Today, I also had the pleasure of meeting with Pauline Cooke from Reconciliation Tasmania, who is doing fantastic work helping to educate our communities about Tasmanian Aboriginal history and what it means to be a genuine ally. Her efforts contribute significantly to building greater understanding and respect across our communities.

Grateful for both of these conversations and the work these organisations are doing to build a more inclusive and informed Tasmania. The commitment shown by these dedicated individuals and their organizations continues to move us forward on our shared journey of reconciliation.

The show has been running in some capacity since 1896 – absolutely incredible.

A huge thank you to the organisers, volunteers, and everyone who makes this show possible. Events like this celebrate our region’s history, hard work, and community spirit.