Bryce delivers final Australia Day address

In her final Australia Day address as Governor-General, Quentin Bryce has paid tribute to the courage, compassion and resilience of the nation's people amid numerous natural disasters.

She also called for continued interpersonal respect.

Australia's first female governor-general, 71, is due to relinquish the role in March after some five-and-a-half years as the Queen's representative.

During the address released on Sunday but pre-recorded at Uluru in December, Ms Bryce said it has been her honour to serve as governor-general.

"I have shared great triumphs and joyous occasions of celebration. I have been touched deeply by the burden of a nation's grief and loss," she said, highlighting times of fire, flood and drought.

"Most of all, I've been inspired and uplifted by the stories of service, selflessness and accomplishment of our fellow Australians transforming their lives, all our lives."

Ms Bryce paid tribute to military personnel, emergency service workers, carers, volunteers, teachers, nurses and scientists and thanked them for their daily work.

"We must continue to respect and embrace each other, and look after our neighbours and neighbourhoods," she said.

"We must harness the kindness in our hearts."

Australia is a generous country in wealth, resources and humanity, Ms Bryce said, also offering her admiration for the nation's sometimes rugged but glorious and colourful landscape.

"We gear up to the year ahead with optimism and determination ... happy Australia Day."