On behalf of all Australians, it is my great honour to welcome you home.
I know that plane behind us had some very special carry-on baggage.
18 gold medals, 17 silver and 28 bronze.
That adds-up to another outstanding Paralympics for Australia – and a credit to all of you who were part of the squad.
Working together as teammates, coaches and support staff – looking out for each other and pushing each other to higher standards and new success.
Over the past two weeks, whenever we turned on the coverage – in the pool, the track, cycling, field events, table tennis, wheelchair rugby – there were Australians to cheer for.
And as we tuned in, we learned something of your stories, the adversity you had overcome, the challenges you had faced, the determination and commitment that brought you to the pinnacle of world sport.
It was a privilege to get a glimpse of that.
And another great thing about watching the Games has been the powerful and visible pride that all of you take in representing Australia.
Pride that carried right through to the closing ceremony, with some of the most enthusiastic flag waving I’ve ever seen.
I want you to know that back home, Australians are every bit as proud to have you representing our nation.
In the most intense moments, in the glare of the brightest spotlight in sport – your strength of character shone through.
I hope you could feel all 27 million of us with you, willing you on.
Now as you return to your families, friends and communities, you can relive your time on the world stage with the people who have always believed in you and are so proud to have been on the journey with you.
For each of you, there would have been a moment in your lives when you set yourself the goal of representing Australia.
When you decided to dedicate your time and energy and focus to competing against the very best in the world.
Perhaps it was a junior coach who recognised your potential.
A parent or loved one who urged you to chase your dream and made sacrifices to see you realise it.
Or you might have found inspiration in the deeds of athletes in Sydney or Athens, Beijing, London or Rio.
That is the tradition all of you are now a part of.
That is the inspiration all of you have given to the next generation of Australians.
Today, there are girls and boys around our nation dreaming of wearing the green and gold at Brisbane 2032 – because of you.
Because your achievements have given them a new sense of what they can achieve.
You have given them a new goal to strive for.
And all of you have given the next generation of Australian new heroes to follow.
You have done your country proud.
Congratulations and thank you.
