1 00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:02,880 Speaker 1: As we know, a special farewell is being held for 2 00:00:02,920 --> 00:00:07,040 Speaker 1: the Administrator of the Northern Territory, the Honorable Vicky O'Halleran, 3 00:00:07,480 --> 00:00:11,800 Speaker 1: with today marking her last day in office, and her 4 00:00:11,840 --> 00:00:13,720 Speaker 1: honor is going to be doing a final lab of 5 00:00:13,760 --> 00:00:16,800 Speaker 1: Northern Territory Government House in the vehicle that's taken her 6 00:00:16,800 --> 00:00:19,880 Speaker 1: across the territory over the last five years, and she 7 00:00:20,120 --> 00:00:23,360 Speaker 1: joins me on the line right now to reflect on 8 00:00:23,680 --> 00:00:24,600 Speaker 1: her time. 9 00:00:24,560 --> 00:00:25,439 Speaker 2: In the role. 10 00:00:26,000 --> 00:00:27,920 Speaker 1: Good morning to you, your honor. 11 00:00:28,800 --> 00:00:30,440 Speaker 2: Good morning, how are you, Katie? 12 00:00:30,720 --> 00:00:33,600 Speaker 1: I am great. It's wonderful to have you on the show. 13 00:00:33,840 --> 00:00:38,360 Speaker 1: And I've no doubt you're getting prepared for your final 14 00:00:38,440 --> 00:00:40,160 Speaker 1: day and for your final farewell. 15 00:00:41,440 --> 00:00:44,440 Speaker 2: I am. I am trying to keep the emotions in checks. 16 00:00:44,880 --> 00:00:47,280 Speaker 1: How are you feeling? You know, when you look back 17 00:00:47,520 --> 00:00:50,560 Speaker 1: at the time that you've served and at a time 18 00:00:50,560 --> 00:00:54,000 Speaker 1: when we've had a long reigning queen and now a king, 19 00:00:54,840 --> 00:00:56,080 Speaker 1: what does it mean for you? 20 00:00:58,160 --> 00:01:01,320 Speaker 2: Yes, I think the hard thing is leaving the staff 21 00:01:01,480 --> 00:01:04,160 Speaker 2: more than anything. You work so closely with people over 22 00:01:04,200 --> 00:01:08,600 Speaker 2: the course of now more than five years. I really 23 00:01:08,680 --> 00:01:13,400 Speaker 2: miss everyone a great deal. But you know, when I 24 00:01:13,480 --> 00:01:15,240 Speaker 2: start to feel a bit emotional about all of that 25 00:01:15,319 --> 00:01:17,479 Speaker 2: I think we'll feel happy that you've had even had 26 00:01:17,480 --> 00:01:22,120 Speaker 2: the opportunity and smile about those opportunities and reflect on 27 00:01:22,160 --> 00:01:27,160 Speaker 2: the many stories and the engagements. So yes, I think 28 00:01:27,240 --> 00:01:29,600 Speaker 2: it will be a day of mixed emotions that I'm 29 00:01:29,640 --> 00:01:32,080 Speaker 2: ready for the next chapter and excited about the future 30 00:01:32,080 --> 00:01:32,880 Speaker 2: at the same time. 31 00:01:33,680 --> 00:01:38,919 Speaker 1: And on Friday evening, your reception was held at Parliament House, 32 00:01:39,240 --> 00:01:42,959 Speaker 1: a farewell reception really to thank you for the work 33 00:01:42,959 --> 00:01:45,959 Speaker 1: that you've done and to acknowledge all that amazing work 34 00:01:45,959 --> 00:01:49,440 Speaker 1: that you've done. And you did speak so fondly of 35 00:01:49,520 --> 00:01:53,080 Speaker 1: your staff. They are a wonderful crew, aren't they. 36 00:01:54,280 --> 00:01:57,880 Speaker 2: They're an incredible group of people, and you know they 37 00:01:57,960 --> 00:02:01,160 Speaker 2: just work tirelessly to ensure that thes and gardens at 38 00:02:01,200 --> 00:02:05,720 Speaker 2: Government House are kept so beautifully and the program that 39 00:02:05,800 --> 00:02:10,359 Speaker 2: our undertakers, the administrator works well and acknowledges all people 40 00:02:10,440 --> 00:02:14,000 Speaker 2: across the you know, the vast geography of our northern territory, 41 00:02:14,000 --> 00:02:16,679 Speaker 2: and it is tireless work. That they're so focused. They're 42 00:02:16,720 --> 00:02:20,360 Speaker 2: good company. So now that everything you could ever want 43 00:02:20,440 --> 00:02:24,080 Speaker 2: with a team of staff, and they're there of course, 44 00:02:24,120 --> 00:02:29,160 Speaker 2: you know, weekends, early mornings and late at night, and 45 00:02:29,440 --> 00:02:32,200 Speaker 2: they take great pride in their work, and I think 46 00:02:32,240 --> 00:02:34,840 Speaker 2: that also encourages you just to do your very best, 47 00:02:34,880 --> 00:02:37,240 Speaker 2: because you know you've put so much, they put so 48 00:02:37,360 --> 00:02:40,000 Speaker 2: much effort into your program, and you want it to 49 00:02:40,040 --> 00:02:41,560 Speaker 2: be successful. 50 00:02:41,960 --> 00:02:45,120 Speaker 1: And your honor. It has been. It's been such a 51 00:02:45,160 --> 00:02:48,200 Speaker 1: big few years. What legacy would you say that you 52 00:02:48,240 --> 00:02:51,880 Speaker 1: are leaving behind, Katie. 53 00:02:51,880 --> 00:02:54,880 Speaker 2: I'd like to think the legacy is opening up Government 54 00:02:54,919 --> 00:03:00,160 Speaker 2: House to people inviting territory and into government. How so 55 00:03:00,200 --> 00:03:02,800 Speaker 2: they've lived here for many years that haven't had the 56 00:03:02,840 --> 00:03:06,440 Speaker 2: opportunity to be a part of our program and using 57 00:03:06,480 --> 00:03:09,000 Speaker 2: the house in a diverse way by having yogre on 58 00:03:09,080 --> 00:03:12,880 Speaker 2: the terrace, and particularly over the course of the pandemic 59 00:03:12,960 --> 00:03:17,000 Speaker 2: when we were social distancing and we couldn't have functions inside. 60 00:03:17,160 --> 00:03:18,880 Speaker 2: I think we learned then that we can use the 61 00:03:18,919 --> 00:03:21,919 Speaker 2: grounds and gardens as much as we can the building, 62 00:03:22,480 --> 00:03:27,320 Speaker 2: and we've advanced technology as well. But I certainly hope 63 00:03:27,360 --> 00:03:29,639 Speaker 2: I've been relatable. That was the aim for Craigan and 64 00:03:29,720 --> 00:03:33,520 Speaker 2: I are to bring a lot of energy to the program, 65 00:03:33,600 --> 00:03:37,120 Speaker 2: to the role and be relatable to all Territorians. 66 00:03:37,840 --> 00:03:40,240 Speaker 1: Well, I said it on Friday night at your reception. 67 00:03:40,360 --> 00:03:43,120 Speaker 1: Obviously I was there to see the event, and I 68 00:03:43,160 --> 00:03:45,520 Speaker 1: said it on Friday night. I know, when you first 69 00:03:45,520 --> 00:03:48,160 Speaker 1: started in the role, we had you in the studio 70 00:03:48,360 --> 00:03:50,400 Speaker 1: for your first interview and I remember at the time, 71 00:03:50,520 --> 00:03:53,080 Speaker 1: like I said, feeling quite nervous and thinking, I don't 72 00:03:53,120 --> 00:03:54,560 Speaker 1: want to you know, I want to make sure that 73 00:03:54,680 --> 00:03:57,600 Speaker 1: I get your intro correct and it's always a bit 74 00:03:57,640 --> 00:04:00,320 Speaker 1: of a juggle making sure that you're referring to you 75 00:04:00,360 --> 00:04:02,680 Speaker 1: in the correct way and doing all the right things. 76 00:04:03,080 --> 00:04:05,560 Speaker 1: And you'd said to me after that interview, Katie, I'm 77 00:04:05,600 --> 00:04:10,400 Speaker 1: still just Vicky. And you have remained our Vicky throughout 78 00:04:10,440 --> 00:04:13,480 Speaker 1: your whole tenure and you've done exactly what you said. 79 00:04:13,560 --> 00:04:17,400 Speaker 1: You have opened up a government house to people who've 80 00:04:17,400 --> 00:04:20,520 Speaker 1: never been to Government House before in their lives, even 81 00:04:20,520 --> 00:04:23,080 Speaker 1: if they've lived in the Northern Territory their whole lives. 82 00:04:23,480 --> 00:04:27,040 Speaker 1: You know, we've seen events at Government House with the 83 00:04:27,160 --> 00:04:30,839 Speaker 1: likes of the RSPCA. There's been jazz on the lawns, 84 00:04:30,839 --> 00:04:33,800 Speaker 1: there's been all sorts of things, and it's been so 85 00:04:34,040 --> 00:04:37,719 Speaker 1: wonderful to see. And I think that you have really 86 00:04:37,760 --> 00:04:39,800 Speaker 1: bought your own flare to the role. 87 00:04:42,040 --> 00:04:44,640 Speaker 2: Thank you, Katie. I'm cheering up now because it means 88 00:04:44,640 --> 00:04:48,480 Speaker 2: a great deal to me. Yes, it's just been an 89 00:04:48,560 --> 00:04:52,120 Speaker 2: incredible journey, and you know, it is a time when 90 00:04:52,160 --> 00:04:55,400 Speaker 2: you I believe when you given the opportunity to have 91 00:04:55,440 --> 00:04:58,640 Speaker 2: a role like the administrator, that you do concentrate on 92 00:04:58,720 --> 00:05:03,760 Speaker 2: giving back. You have a chance to travel far and wide. 93 00:05:03,839 --> 00:05:06,080 Speaker 2: You have a chance to be in schools, to be 94 00:05:06,120 --> 00:05:09,120 Speaker 2: in childcare centers, as you say to me, with rsp 95 00:05:09,400 --> 00:05:13,279 Speaker 2: with the RSPCA and many other patronage organizations, talking to 96 00:05:13,360 --> 00:05:17,839 Speaker 2: local business people, understanding people's challenges, what's working well in 97 00:05:17,880 --> 00:05:20,839 Speaker 2: their businesses, with their families, you know, the day to 98 00:05:20,880 --> 00:05:24,200 Speaker 2: day challenges. Life's tricky and the fact that people have 99 00:05:24,279 --> 00:05:27,080 Speaker 2: wanted to share so much of their journey with me 100 00:05:27,320 --> 00:05:29,400 Speaker 2: has assisted me to do the role and do it 101 00:05:29,440 --> 00:05:33,000 Speaker 2: in a way that I hope has been relatable. 102 00:05:33,800 --> 00:05:36,080 Speaker 1: Vicky. We've got a few messages that have come through 103 00:05:36,160 --> 00:05:38,359 Speaker 1: for you, and I've got one here from Peter and 104 00:05:38,400 --> 00:05:42,080 Speaker 1: it says what a standout person Vicky O'Halloran's been in 105 00:05:42,120 --> 00:05:46,719 Speaker 1: her position as the Administrator of the Northern Territory. Peter says, so, 106 00:05:46,839 --> 00:05:49,880 Speaker 1: in the words of Rod Stewart's song every beat of 107 00:05:49,920 --> 00:05:53,920 Speaker 1: My Heart, let's say farewell, but not say but don't 108 00:05:53,960 --> 00:05:58,640 Speaker 1: say goodbye, says Peter. I've got one here from Robin Burridge, 109 00:05:58,760 --> 00:06:01,680 Speaker 1: and Robin had called through to say happy New Year, 110 00:06:01,760 --> 00:06:04,400 Speaker 1: keep up the great work for us and turning out 111 00:06:04,440 --> 00:06:06,680 Speaker 1: the news. But she said, with the administrator coming on 112 00:06:06,760 --> 00:06:12,440 Speaker 1: later today, she's an amazing woman who she is obviously 113 00:06:12,480 --> 00:06:14,400 Speaker 1: known for years. I know that you and Robin have 114 00:06:14,440 --> 00:06:17,960 Speaker 1: known each other for a long time. And she said 115 00:06:18,000 --> 00:06:21,880 Speaker 1: that there are three reasons why you're an amazing woman. 116 00:06:21,960 --> 00:06:25,280 Speaker 1: One of them your motto, nothing is ever a problem, 117 00:06:25,360 --> 00:06:28,840 Speaker 1: only a challenge. The second a big challenge that you 118 00:06:28,920 --> 00:06:33,279 Speaker 1: overcame was getting wheelchair access and toilets at Government House, 119 00:06:33,600 --> 00:06:37,679 Speaker 1: which is a Heritage listed building, and that you're also 120 00:06:38,040 --> 00:06:39,160 Speaker 1: a poetry lover. 121 00:06:41,720 --> 00:06:44,960 Speaker 2: Well, thank you Peter, and thank you Robin. Very generous comments. 122 00:06:45,080 --> 00:06:48,320 Speaker 2: And it's so nice that people do take the time 123 00:06:48,440 --> 00:06:54,440 Speaker 2: to make contact and I look forward to the ongoing friendships. 124 00:06:54,440 --> 00:06:55,560 Speaker 2: We're not going anywhere. 125 00:06:56,360 --> 00:06:58,880 Speaker 1: Well, that's exactly right, and that was going to be 126 00:06:58,920 --> 00:07:00,920 Speaker 1: my next question. Are your plans? 127 00:07:01,000 --> 00:07:05,520 Speaker 2: What's next? But when I know, I'll make sure you know, kaybe, 128 00:07:05,600 --> 00:07:07,880 Speaker 2: I'm just trying to get to the end. Be strong 129 00:07:09,200 --> 00:07:11,600 Speaker 2: right up to the last minute, do my job, as 130 00:07:11,640 --> 00:07:15,120 Speaker 2: the administrator, and then here look at what opportunities and 131 00:07:15,160 --> 00:07:18,400 Speaker 2: how I can continue to I suppose over the next 132 00:07:18,640 --> 00:07:22,640 Speaker 2: five to seven years of my career do some good 133 00:07:22,680 --> 00:07:24,320 Speaker 2: work againing community. 134 00:07:24,760 --> 00:07:27,640 Speaker 1: Now, just talk me through the ceremonial events for today. 135 00:07:27,680 --> 00:07:29,960 Speaker 1: I imagine that it is going to be quite an 136 00:07:29,960 --> 00:07:36,960 Speaker 1: emotional time for you and for your husband Craig saying farewell. 137 00:07:35,240 --> 00:07:37,720 Speaker 2: Yes, and our daughter Coco's here as well with your 138 00:07:37,760 --> 00:07:41,640 Speaker 2: partner Tom. So we'll meet with the Chief Minister and 139 00:07:41,760 --> 00:07:45,880 Speaker 2: have what we call a courtesy call. We'll farewell each 140 00:07:46,280 --> 00:07:51,440 Speaker 2: staff person individually, and then we will have the Australian 141 00:07:51,440 --> 00:07:55,080 Speaker 2: Defense fulls there, there'll be the Royal salute and a 142 00:07:55,160 --> 00:07:59,000 Speaker 2: review and we'll well thank the army band. Of course, 143 00:07:59,320 --> 00:08:02,200 Speaker 2: there'll be a press of the territory flag and the 144 00:08:03,240 --> 00:08:06,920 Speaker 2: Australian flag, and then we will depart Government House as 145 00:08:06,960 --> 00:08:10,080 Speaker 2: you mentioned in NT one, and do a tour of 146 00:08:10,120 --> 00:08:14,080 Speaker 2: the city and wave to people and thank everybody a 147 00:08:14,120 --> 00:08:18,040 Speaker 2: great deal for this amazing opportunity, and then go back 148 00:08:18,040 --> 00:08:23,360 Speaker 2: to our apartment which we can't fit in and downsizing into, 149 00:08:24,360 --> 00:08:26,440 Speaker 2: which is just down the road, still in the city, 150 00:08:26,920 --> 00:08:29,520 Speaker 2: and get on with the next chapter of our lives. 151 00:08:29,680 --> 00:08:32,959 Speaker 1: Oh well, like I say, you have done a phenomenal job. 152 00:08:33,000 --> 00:08:35,640 Speaker 1: I've got. There's lots of messages flowing through. There's one 153 00:08:35,640 --> 00:08:38,600 Speaker 1: from Ashley in Bayview and he says her honor has 154 00:08:38,640 --> 00:08:42,559 Speaker 1: been an outstanding administrator and leaves with a lasting impression. 155 00:08:42,640 --> 00:08:45,960 Speaker 1: Not since Eric Johnson have I witnessed an administrator be 156 00:08:46,080 --> 00:08:48,440 Speaker 1: such a people person. And I say that with no 157 00:08:48,600 --> 00:08:53,240 Speaker 1: disrespect to any others and to consort Craig all the best. 158 00:08:53,280 --> 00:08:57,439 Speaker 1: That one there from Ashley in Bayview and your honor. 159 00:08:57,440 --> 00:09:00,280 Speaker 1: I think that there are so many people listening this 160 00:09:00,320 --> 00:09:04,040 Speaker 1: morning who will have well wishes for you and for 161 00:09:04,320 --> 00:09:07,680 Speaker 1: your wonderful husband Craig as well, who's done a phenomenal job. 162 00:09:08,360 --> 00:09:10,960 Speaker 1: You know, from me and the rest of the Northern Territory, 163 00:09:11,040 --> 00:09:13,000 Speaker 1: thank you so much for the work that you have 164 00:09:13,160 --> 00:09:16,680 Speaker 1: done as the administrator of the Northern Territory. You have 165 00:09:16,840 --> 00:09:19,240 Speaker 1: truly taken the role to the people, and I think 166 00:09:19,240 --> 00:09:20,920 Speaker 1: for that everybody is grateful. 167 00:09:22,200 --> 00:09:25,199 Speaker 2: Thank you very much, Katie, and thank you very much. 168 00:09:25,280 --> 00:09:28,840 Speaker 2: Business from Craig. Coco and I thank. 169 00:09:28,559 --> 00:09:32,360 Speaker 1: You, and well, Vicky. We will talk to you again, 170 00:09:32,440 --> 00:09:34,720 Speaker 1: no doubt, I'm very sure. Once we know what is 171 00:09:34,800 --> 00:09:35,280 Speaker 1: next for 172 00:09:35,360 --> 00:09:38,880 Speaker 2: You, thank you, thank you, you too.