Berejiklian’s family flag of gratitude for Australia Day

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian will today defend the holding of Australia Day on January 26.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian. Picture: AAP

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian will today defend the holding of Australia Day on January 26 and tell Australians to take personal responsibility for how they can be “the best Australian citizens we can be”.

The daughter of Armenian immigrants whose father worked on the Opera House, Ms Berejiklian will say in her first Australia Day address as Premier that: “To this day, my father hangs the Australian flag on the veranda of the family home in North Ryde every Australia Day. This is his way of demonstrating his gratitude and loyalty to our nation.”

The Premier says the day is very important to her. “Each Australia Day, we celebrate who we are as a people and our achievements as a nation,” Ms Berejiklian’s speech, to be delivered at the NSW government’s 34th Australia Day lunch, reads.

“We recognise with honour that our national story begins with the First Australians, our indigenous communities and their unique heritage that stretches back 40,000 years.

“That we are home to the world’s oldest continuing culture is a cause for celebration every day, but especially on Australia Day.

“Australia Day is a time for all of us to acknowledge and appreciate the qualities that have made Australia the greatest nation on earth.

“But it is also a day to remind ourselves why we cannot afford to take what we have in this country for granted.

“My sisters and I grew up in a household where my parents were extremely proud of our Armenian heritage, but incredibly grateful that Australia gave them the opportunity to raise a family in freedom and peace. My parents constantly reminded us of the opportunity we were given and the importance of hard work.’’