On New Year's Day, many people in Britain are thinking of their relatives and friends in Australia; the telephone lines between our two countries are busy with messages greeting 1988.
My own message to you today is directed not only to those of you who have family links with Britain, but to all Australians who are preparing to celebrate the Bicentenary Year.
Over the years, so many people from Britain have played a part in Australia's future. Bicentenary Year will bring many reminders of our shared history and experience and the shared aspirations of Australian and British peoples.
We may sound a bit different from each other these days, but we still speak the same language in every sense of the word. We have built a vigorous and healthy new relationship on the foundations of our longstanding ties.
From Britain, I send greetings to you all at the opening of this Bicentennial Year. I salute the indomitable spirit which the Australian people have shown throughout the past two hundred years and I am sure that same spirit will continue to inspire Australia in the years ahead. Happy Birthday, Australia!