Bradfield Oration 2021: ‘It’s time for Sydney to enjoy the roaring 2020s’

Sydney’s movers and shakers were treated to a day of thought-provoking speeches and top-notch entertainment at Thursday’s Bradfield Oration.

Celebrities and Sydney powerbrokers gathered for the 2021 Bradfield Oration at the Sydney Opera House on Thursday.

Singer Jessica Mauboy and hospitality tsar Justin Hemmes were among guests at the event, where Premier Dominic Perrottet outlined his future vision for NSW.

Jessica Mauboy performed her new single, Glow, at the Bradfield Oration on Thursday. Pictures: Richard Dobson

Mr Hemmes said dancing was back and that a Merivale dance event for 18,000 people had sold out in half an hour.

He added that the Covid-19 pandemic had been “the greatest reset in history”, and the momentum for the future was building.

“I am more excited about our future, and for hospitality in particular, than I have ever been in my lifetime,” he said.

“The next decade is going to be the most exciting decade of my life, it will be the roaring 2020s.”

Peter and Alice Bradfield.

Deeta Colvin and Michael Cassel.

Guests were entertained by a range of acts, including singer Azure Ryder. Pictures: Richard Dobson

Other guests included Peter and Alice Bradfield, Dan Rosen, Deeta Colvin and Michael Cassel, Lang Walker, Peter V’landys, and News Corp Australasia executive chairman Michael Miller.

Singer Jessica Mauboy stunned in a multi-coloured frock and belted out a powerful rendition of her new single Glow.

Daily Telegraph editor Ben English and hospitality tsar Justin Hemmes.

Dr Catriona Wallace and Ann Sherry. Pictures: Richard Dobson

Sitting quietly in the background as Mr Perrottet delivered The Daily Telegraph’s Bradfield Oration were two media advisers.

The first was his outgoing head of media, Trevor Seymour, who came with him from Treasury and is soon to leave the job. Next to him was his replacement, Miranda Wood. She was checking on the speech and making sure things were running smoothly.

Of course, if she needs any advice going forward she can ask her husband, Sean Berry, who had the same job for former premier Gladys Berejiklian until she moved on.

Also pressing the flesh at the event were Ministers Alister Henskens (the first MP to arrive), Victor Dominello and Stuart Ayres.

JESS MAUBOY’S SURPRISE MUSICAL INSPIRATION

After spending the Covid lockdown in Sydney, singer Jessica Mauboy found that the stillness of the city actually inspired her to write her new single Glow.

“It was a creative time for me, doing a lot of writing and recording new music whenever I could,” she said.

“The stillness of the city really inspired me to take some time out to reflect and stay still for a bit.”

Singer Jessica Mauboy will perform at The Daily Telegraph Bradfield Oration 2021 on Thursday. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Mauboy, 32, will perform that single at The Sydney Opera House on Thursday in front of political and business leaders gathered to hear Premier Dominic Perrottet deliver The Daily Telegraph Bradfield Oration.

“It’s an honour to be invited to perform at Bradfield and be a part of this very special day in the company of the Premier and the many inspiring Australians at this event and support a bright future ahead,” she said.

LISTEN TO JESS’S NEW SONG GLOW:

And she has a message for those leaders and all of us as we emerge from pandemic lockdowns — get out and have fun.

“The last two years have been challenging for all of us including the live music and theatre industry,” she said.

“I feel the industry and communities everywhere are more united and energised than ever before now that we are coming out of lockdowns,” she said.

“Everyone can support artists and live music and theatre whether it be listening and playing their music, going to a live show, purchasing merchandise, supporting them on social media.”