PM Scott Morrison and wife Jenny deliver tribute to fallen fireys

Scott Morrison and wife Jenny acknowledge it is ‘going to be a really difficult Christmas for so many Australians’ | WATCH

Scott Morrison and wife Jenny have delivered a Christmas message of hope, praised the Australian spirit in the face of “terrible challenges” and paid tribute to the families of fallen firefighters Geoff Keaton and Andrew O’Dwyer.

Flanked by his wife, Mr Morrison gave thanks to the firefighters across the nation who had volunteered their time to keep Australians safe and noted the sacrifice of members of the Australian Defence Force serving overseas.

He said the efforts of Mr Keaton and O’Dwyer – who were tragically killed fighting fires in NSW – were a reminder of “why this country is amazing” and a “reminder of what we’ve got to give thanks for”.

In a recorded video message, Jenny Morrison said that Christmas had “always been a special time of year for our family” but acknowledged that it was “going to be a really difficult Christmas for so many Australians”.

Geoff Keaton.

Andrew O'Dwyer.

Mr Morrison reviewed the key challenges of the year by identifying the floods in North Queensland, the ongoing drought and the bushfires which have raged since September. But he said Australians had “stood up” in times of adversity and shown “tremendous spirit”.

“This spirit has been expressed in the kindnesses and the courage and the love extended from one Australian to another, standing with their families and their communities,” he said.

“This great spirit is what makes Australia the amazing country it is. And at this Christmas time we give thanks despite these terrible challenges for the wonderful country we have been blessed to live in.

“As we look forward to next year, as we celebrate this Christmas I want to thank all of those who serve our nation, serving as volunteers fighting those fires as we speak, patrolling our beaches.

“Those who are serving overseas in our defence forces and are a long way form home and serving our nation there.

“To those who will be serving on Christmas Day, whether it’s the homeless or the many charitable acts that they’ve been engaged in – we say thank you to you too. Because we know it’s just not on Christmas Day, but that this is a passion of yours and something you do on each and every day over the course of the year.

“We think especially of the families of Andrew O’Dwyer and Geoff Keaton who we lost in the fires recently here in NSW.”

Mr O’Dwyer’s wife, Melissa, and the partner of Mr Keaton, Jess, were also identified by Mr Morrison – along with the firefighters’ parents – with Mr Morrison saying he knew it was “going to be a tough Christmas”.

“To all of those out at the Horsley Park brigade, we send our great love and our best wishes to you,” he said.

“To those for whom there’ll be an empty seat at the table this year, we’re thinking of you as well.”

Mr Morrison said Australia was an “amazing country” and an “amazing people” and urged the nation to look forward to 2020.

“And 2020 is going to be another year in which we demonstrate why this is the best country in the world in which to live.”

Albanese ‘thinking of firefighters’

In a shorter Christmas message, Anthony Albanese said that it could be a “really difficult” time of the year and said he was thinking particularly “of those people in the community who have been fighting bushfires.”

“We think of those empty seats at tables where people have lost loved ones.

“This is the greatest country on earth. And the thing that makes it the greatest country on earth is our people. Our people are resilient. Our people are courageous. Our people are committed to each other and to their local communities.

“So, at this time in particular, a huge shout-out to those people who fought fires and done themselves, their community, and our entire nation a great deal of pride.”

Turnbull: Fireys need our support

Former Prime Minister Malcom Turnbull also paid tribute to the country’s firefighters as he attended Sydney’s Wayside Chapel’s Christmas celebrations

And thank you for the love you share! Happy Christmas!! https://t.co/sOJTpn4yJd

— Malcolm Turnbull (@TurnbullMalcolm) December 25, 2019

“Around the country, thousands of firefighters are out there putting themselves in harms way to keep Australia safe. They need the support of governments and the community. The reality is with a hotter and dryer climate we will see more fires, ”he told the crowd.

Mr. Turnbull and his wife Lucy served lunch to attendees at the annual Christmas lunch and street party in Kings Cross.

He said he has a long time association with the chapel.

“We have helped raise the money to build the new premises years ago ,” he told The Australian

The annual event serves a free lunch for 800 people.

The pastor and CEO, Jon Owen, said it was an important for those who find the holiday period challenging.

“What I love about it is everyone is welcome on the streets. You can’t be kicked out of the streets. We embrace people who for many reasons, home and family have never been a reality and we say you are welcome here and you are loved here. We also party like there is no tomorrow.”