Tears flowed and a traditional Maori prayer was even performed at some of the first investitures to be officiated by the new Governor-General Sam Mostyn this week.
Ms Mostyn yesterday bent down to comfort 84-year-old Narrabundah historian Esther Davies who was in a wheelchair and overwhelmed by receiving the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in one of the ceremonies at Government House in Canberra on Thursday.
Mrs Davies, the long-time archivist at the Telopea Park School, was awarded her OAM for service to community history and to education.
Ms Mostyn couldn't help but comfort Mrs Davies, saying she wanted to "make sure there is warmth and gratitude for the contributions these Australians are making".
The usual pomp and ceremony was also put to one side as the family of Queanbeyan man Isaac "Ihaka" Cotter stood in the audience and did a traditional Maori prayer or "karakia".
Mr Cotter received his OAM for service to the Maori community of Australia and New Zealand.
His wife Patricia did a traditional Maori call while his children Samantha and Ihaka, who had travelled from New Zealand for the ceremony, did the acknowledgement or prayer.
"It was probably the most emotional part of the whole thing, really, but it was all emotional," Mr Cotter said.
The family asked permission from the Governor-General to make the gesture. Ms Mostyn hoped more investitures in the future would include similar personal or family tributes.
After starting in the role of Governor-General in July, Ms Mostyn was thrilled to this week be presiding over her first investiture ceremonies, handing out awards announced earlier this year in the Australia Day or King's Birthday honours. The final ceremony will be held on Friday.
"As all of my predecessors did tell me, this is one of the most uplifting tasks that the Governor-General has," she said, after Thursday's ceremony.
"It's a privilege on behalf of all Australians to be presenting honours and awards that have been nominated by people all around the country. And the range of honours that we invest during these days is just remarkable."
Thirteen-year-old Thomas Myers-Davis, of Giralang, proudly wore his scout uniform to Government House yesterday to see his mum, Dr Stephanie Davis, receive the Public Service Medal for her outstanding service in supporting the nation's healthcare system through the pandemic.
Dr Davis said Thomas had attended the GG's camp for scouts at Government House earlier this year and when Government House called her about the investiture ceremony, she thought it was about him maybe leaving a jumper or something there.
"I felt proud of her," Thomas said.
Canberra vet Dr John Aspley Davis was also happy to collect his AM. The 78-year-old, who is still working, was appointed a Member in the General Division of the Order of Australia for significant service to veterinary science.
"I rather do like a degree of pomp and ceremony," he said, with a smile.
"The honour is amazing but it's only because we are standing on the shoulders of others."
