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Prince William meets communities affected by the Victorian Bushfires on his last day in Australia

21st January 2010

Prince William paid a heartfelt tribute to Australia and its people today and revealed that visiting the nation was the "realisation of a dream".

In a speech, The Prince said the country was much loved by the rest of his family, who had told him about its "wonders".

The comments were made in a speech that marked the end of a five-day tour of New Zealand and Australia that has seen The Prince attract enthusiastic crowds on to the streets and praise from Prime Ministers and the public.

The address followed the theme of Prince William's tour and was informal, light-hearted, and at times serious.

He joked about the infamous moment his father was kissed coming out of the sea in Australia in the late 1970s by a lady swimmer and how he has had a number of kisses from well-wishers over the past few days.

Prince William spoke of the resilience of the communities left shattered by last year's devastating bushfires, some of whom he had visited hours earlier.

Speaking in Melbourne's Government House, Prince William said: "My father had such a great time here at school - and is still misty-eyed about an immortal moment on Bondi, when an Australian beauty planted a smacker on his cheek.

Referring to the many kisses he has received over the past few days Prince William said:  "It's good to see this tradition is continuing."

The "love" of his mother Diana, Princess of Wales for Australia and the "profound impression" the country made on her was also mentioned.

He added: "Three days here and now I know why. And of course, there's that other guy with the ginger hair - who just never ever stops banging on about you, and how I haven't lived because I haven't been to Australia, blah, blah, blah."

A few hours before the speech The Prince travelled to meet a community deeply affected by last year's devastating bushfires.

Prince William was driven through bush land outside Melbourne and saw blackened trees destroyed by the fires that claimed 173 lives last February.

He visited the tiny rural community of Flowerdale to learn how its inhabitants are coping with the aftermath of disaster.

Fires swept though the dispersed settlement of around 2,000 people, killing 13 inhabitants and destroying many homes.

During his visit to Flowerdale, The Prince joined a sporting workshop for youngsters from the village along with Australian cricketers Brett Lee and Matthew Hayden.

In his speech, The Prince told the 800 guests at the reception which marked Australia Day: "Today, on the outskirts of Melbourne, I was privileged to see the spirit of Australia in its purest, most magnificent form.

"My family, along with millions around the world - followed the events of last February with a sense of horror which slowly, as the days passed, turned to one of deep, deep admiration for the steadfastness of the Australian people."

Prince William's five-day tour saw him carry out his first official overseas visit on behalf of The Queen when he opened New Zealand's Supreme Court, while the trip to Australia was designed to allow him to get to know its people.

The Prince told the reception: "What has struck me during this visit to the Southern Hemisphere, is what 'shared heritage' actually means.

"It really is about core values and our way of life. It really is about humour and decency. And it is also about courage and an ability to face down adversity."

He added: "I only wish I had a little longer to see a bit more of Melbourne, this legendary city of sport and culture. But if I may, I'll be back."