I want to start by thanking Aunty Cheryl and Uncle Ray, for their very generous welcome to country, their continuous care. I think of these extraordinary lands, and keeping culture, storing connection alive on this land is something we should never underestimate the power of that work.

I know there has already been a very long list of dignitaries. You are all indeed special people, and I don't for one moment intend to go through that list again, but I do want to give a special acknowledgement to your Excellency. And Mr. Wilson, it was it's you really humbled us with your presence here today, and we're very grateful for your journey to the Wellness Center. Indeed, I was thrilled that you raised the story of the science. I always love it when scientists reaffirm my what I know instinctively to be and that when you sit inside and just sit with these beautiful original works, there is nothing that digital representation could ever replace. There's a feeling that you have which can never be recaptured. And so, we're all so incredibly lucky to be able to sit in such a beautiful space with such gorgeous original works. Let's never, ever forget that power and how it feels right now, I wanted to, of course, add my thanks to all of those people already mentioned, and indeed, each and every one of you present here today for your ongoing support and important contributions, I do wish to add the congratulations and well wishes of a couple of ministers who weren't able to be with us today, although I'm sick of their very stoked because I get to do this address instead, but Minister Tony Burke and Minister for the arts and also Minister Catherine King, who was able to have a little sneak preview just a couple of days ago, with very generous Loretta Morton taking us through the gallery, and she wanted to make sure that I passed on her enormous congratulations today.

It is such an incredible joy to stand here for the reopening of this art gallery. It's been four long years since we were able to step inside, and I know I missed it. I'm pretty sure I'm in good company here. But it's joyful, not only because it's been, as indicated, such a long and winding road to get here, but also because this is now a truly magnificent space, and it's destined to be the cultural heart of our city. It's more than the unveiling of a beautiful space. However, it's the beginning of a new chapter, The Newcastle, one that celebrates who we are, where we've come from and the creative future that we will build together. For decades, this gallery has been a place of inspiration and imagination, and it's introduced generations of Novocastrians to this power of art, to the works that challenge us, that move us and connect us and school children of so many generations now have walked through these spaces and seen amazing possibilities reflected back at them, and visitors have discovered the cultural richness of our region. We've always known about it, but we're letting others in on the secret right now; today, as we've opened the door to these beautiful new spaces, we do so with renewed ambition. This is never job done. This transformation, however, ensures that Newcastle can properly showcase our nationally significant collection. Including these very rich pieces of First Nations art. I'm still blown away when I walk on that door and you've got that giant Sally Gabori on the wall that greets me. There's a beautiful mid-century abstraction throughout the gallery, and, of course, our Japanese avant garde ceramics. It means more space for more exhibitions, more opportunities for artists, more educational programs for young people, and more reasons for visitors to stay, explore and invest in our city.

I'm incredibly proud that the Australian government has returned money this time around, in the order of $5 million investing back into this beautiful gallery. It's a very clear statement that the arts and culture matter, that regional cities like Newcastle deserve world class cultural infrastructure, and because when we invest in the arts, we invest in our community, we invest in the jobs, the job for artists, curators, technicians and hospitality workers. We invest in tourism and economic activity, and we invest in something a lot less tangible, but just as important, our sense of identity and belonging.

Newcastle is a city that, of course, has never stood still. We're diverse, we're dynamic, and we're a creative regional capital with more artists per capita than any other city in Australia. And projects like this reflect our confidence, a confidence in our people, in our stories and in our future. It's fitting that the revitalized Newcastle Art Gallery will be a place where First Nations art and storytelling are not just honored, but are elevated, a place where contemporary voices sit alongside historic works, inviting us to see the world through different lenses and catch a glimpse of lives, ideas and cultures beyond our own, a place where young people can see themselves reflected on the walls, perhaps imagine themselves their own art hanging on these walls one day and discover new worlds that they might never otherwise have known. And that matters. Representation matters, access matters, opportunities matter, and this gallery delivers on all three of them.

You might recall at the start of my remarks, I said it had been a long and winding road to arrive at the states, and I know there's been a few people articulating various parts of that journey. It certainly was a worthwhile journey in that this is a remarkable reimagining of the Newcastle gallery today. But I hope you allow me just a moment to recognize a few of those people whose efforts were critical to overcoming obstacles and keeping this dream alive. We've heard a number of them already, some of them I'm going to repeat, but I do want to acknowledge my predecessor, Sharon grace, who first secured that Commonwealth funding back in 2007, the former Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes, who picked up all the pieces when that funding was lost, and led a way forward, and I do also want to acknowledge the former lady Mayoress Cathy Tate. I'm so thrilled you got to speak early today, because it was Cathy Tate who absolutely never gave up. And that takes stamina.

Fortunately, we're a city of people who have great ambition and strong determination, and however, all those people who have been named today behind each one of those was an incredible team of people, and I want to definitely give thanks and pay tribute to the foundation Susie, you've taken on, you know, a an extraordinary task, but again, following a long history and a great team of people that have been there to support you. So thank you for that work the society I know it's hung in there, through thick and thin as well. I really appreciate that to the generous donors. Really, nothing could have happened without that injection of money, which came confidence and I. Capacity to go to all levels of government and say our community is backing this. You come on board too. So thank you. We have all benefited from your extraordinary efforts.

And of course, I want to acknowledge the exceptional leadership of so many extraordinary directors that I see here today. We have Ron Ramsey, thank you, Ron, that was a tough for a period of time, and all the directors that are with you, but I absolutely pay tribute to this seemingly indefatigable and unstoppable. Loretta Morton, your leadership. You it is since 2018 I'm not sure that you ever realized you were going to have to be this massive building project manager as well and pack up a gallery and put it to sort of one side for four years, but make sure it stayed in the hearts and minds of everybody in Newcastle at the same time. Your leadership through that period was extraordinary, and we really are indebted to you for that.

Transformational projects don't happen by accident. They happen because people believed in something bigger than themselves, and they refused to give up. So that's a big salute to each and every one of you today, and it's through a practice I like to refer to. It was given to me by the general director of the National Library. She talked to me one day about radical incrementalism, and I thought, this is the embodiment of radical incrementalism, the Newcastle Art Gallery and so I want you to know that good things happen from big, bold ideas and people who are determined to stay the course. Thank you.

Today's proof of what we can achieve with local leadership, community passion and support from all levels of government in all sectors of our community, coming together with a shared vision and commitment to see that through. So, congratulations to everyone who made this day possible. I cannot wait to see the stories, the conversations and the dreams that will unfold in the years ahead. And I know I for one am feeling a whole lot better sitting in these halls today. May this Wellness Center continue to grow forever more.