Mr. Premier, Ladies and Gentlemen

Thank you for your welcome. It is difficult to think of a
better place to end this two week tour of Australia than here in
Perth, which is surely one of the most beautiful capital cities in
the world.

It is now forty-six years since Prince Philip and I first came
here and we retain so many fond memories of Western Australia from
our previous visits - the vast open spaces; the vibrant mining
towns; the small rural centres so strong in community spirit; the
rich historical, cultural and spiritual heritage; the wonderful
weather; and above all, the warmth and friendliness of the people
of Western Australia. It is a great pleasure for us both to be back
on this occasion to see something of how the state is changing and
developing both economically and as a community.

I am aware that, gathered here this evening, are many of you
who are making this happen. Collectively and individually you are
making an outstanding contribution to the life of the state today
and, most importantly, are providing the next generation of Western
Australians with the motivation to strive for excellence in the
many fields represented here, including science, medicine and
technology, the arts, sport and community service. There are good
reasons to feel confident about the future.

And over these past two weeks I have been struck again and
again by the strengths of this country. As I have criss-crossed
Australia, visiting the busy cities and centres, the regional towns
and rural areas, the East and the West, I am reminded that this is
a diverse country, but not a disparate one; and it is bound
together at every level by its shared vastness and its natural
wealth, and above all by the vigour, openness and humour of its
people.

This natural generosity of Australian's everywhere has been
much in evidence during this visit. I shall depart tomorrow
looking forward to our return next year and with my abiding
affection and respect for Australia and Australians confirmed and
renewed. Prince Philip and I have been given the warmest of
welcomes from everybody we have met, whatever views and aspirations
they might have for the future of this country. This has been true
of people from every background, age or walk of life. I have met
some who were children when I first visited in 1954 and I have met
many children who were not born when I last came in 1992 - many of
them bearing flowers! And I shall leave here confident that these
young Australians are growing up in a nation that honours its past,
is excited by the present and has vision for the future. This is
indeed a great country on the move.