Following are the speeches for the 2017 school captains, Mitch Saxby and Amber Loretan, reproduced as they were delivered on the day.

Recognition and reconciliation

Good morning everyone. My name is Mitch Saxby, and I am a school leader of Wingham High, alongside my fellow captain Amber Loretan.

This morning we are going to talk to you all about what Australia Day means to us.

There are many mixed emotions surrounding Australia Day. It should be recognised that for some, today is seen as ‘Invasion Day’ and to others, ‘Survival Day’. So today we not only celebrate, but we mourn and promote further reconciliation. 

Australia Day is a day on which we recognise the unique status of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are the traditional custodians of the land on which we are standing on right this second.

It is crucial that the future generations are educated about, and understand, the history of our country and the importance and sacrifices made by Indigenous Australians. By doing that, our country will become even greater than it already is.

It’ll be a country where everyone will be equal, no matter how different our lives and culture are. Once all Australians are accounted for, we can truly celebrate and call today Australia Day.

Australia Day is a day on which we celebrate the incredible, colourful and vibrant natural habitats for a wide variety of unique animals that thrive in Australia. Today we can recognise just how beautiful this country is and that it is necessary that we protect and conserve this land for the future generations.

Australia Day to me is getting together with my family having a barbie [sic] and listening to Triple J’s Hottest 100 on full blast whilst trying to stay cool in the scorching heat. 

It is important to take some time out of this day, however, to recognise the Indigenous Australians that are the custodians of this land and to take into consideration how they must feel on Invasion Day for them. 

I believe that in the years to come, every person that calls Australia home, no matter what their cultural background is, will be able to fully celebrate this day together.

What Australia Day means to me… to me Australia Day isn’t just a celebration, it’s also about recollection. I look back on all the opportunities I have had bestowed upon me, and I am so grateful. 

We live in a country that allows each and every one of us to be anything we desire and with a little hard work anything is achievable.

I am surrounded by people that push me, support me and love me, like my wonderful parents. They as well as my school and community have given me endless opportunities and I am extremely grateful!

So on this day I thank everyone both past and present throughout our history for the sacrifices they made so that we as Australians can live as free, independent individuals where in which the sky is the limit.

This is what Australia Day means to us. To each of you, it may mean something completely different. But that is the beauty of Australia. Our ability to all believe different things, yet come together as one nation. 

If we continue to accept each other’s differences and work for that strong mateship we are renowned for, we can create a country that all Australians, past, present and future, can be proud of.

Thank you, and have a great day.

The lucky country

Good morning ladies and gentlemen. My name is Amber Loretan and I am very proud to have been given the opportunity to speak to you all on this special day, Australia Day.

Every year we come together on this day to celebrate what a great country we live in. We all have different ways of celebrating Australia Day, whether it be throwing a snag on the barbie [sic], heading to one of our many wonderful beaches or parks, or getting together with family and friends.

Australia Day is a day to celebrate and give thanks to the many men and women who have fought and continue to fight to protect our wonderful country so that we can continue to enjoy a life of freedom. Thank you to the army, navy and airforce.

I would also like to thank and celebrate our wonderful volunteers and emergency services across our country that put their own lives and safety at risk to keep Australia save and help during times of disaster, whether it be bush fires, floods, extreme heat or drought.

To these men and women, thank you for helping to protect our homes, families and livelihoods. Thank you for not sleeping for days on end to protect our country and its people. Thank you for putting our country before the needs and safety of yourself and your family. Thank you to our police, ambulance, firefighters, SES, Red Cross and other volunteer groups.

Why am I lucky to be Australian?

I am lucky to be Australian – I have freedom and safety.

I am lucky to be able to receive one of the best educations in the world. I am able to go on school excursions and camps, and to play sports. I am able to have friends, go to the park, beaches and rivers without fear.

I am lucky to be able to go to bed at night and know that I am safe and will have food to eat, clothes to wear the next day and days following. 

I am free to be a child, to choose my own career path, to think and dream, to be able to choose my own destiny instead of it being chosen for me. I am free of restrictions based on gender, age, money, race or religion.

Australia is truly the lucky country, for me.

Australia Day is a day for all Australians to come together to celebrate this magnificent country we share from the coast to the mountains, the outback and beyond. 

To celebrate the many nationalities and cultures that have come together to make Australia great and call this wonderful country home.

We as Australians should all stand united and look toward the future, making Australia a better place for future generations to come.

“Australia, the lucky country,” a country of freedom, hopes and dreams.

Thank you.