Brennan Family
Statement by Nigel Brennan
SYDNEY – Wednesday 9 December – Nigel Brennan: Thanks to you all for coming here
today.
It feels so good to be home! It’s hard to believe I’m standing here safe on
Australian soil. I must confess there were times when I wondered if this moment
would ever come. After my experience, I just feel so fortunate to come from a country
where freedom is taken for granted.
If I can in any way explain my rationale for being in Somalia at all and putting myself in
harm’s way it was to highlight the plight of others not so fortunate. In hindsight it was
a risk I maybe shouldn’t have taken and I am personally distressed at the grief and
heartache I have caused but my motives were honourable.
Now that I’m back home I need to acknowledge so many people who worked so hard
to secure my release.
Firstly, I need to say sorry to my family, especially my mum and dad, for the stress and
hurt I’ve caused them over the last 15 months. I’m sure at times their pain and
suffering was much worse than my own. At least I knew I was alive. Although,
sometimes even I questioned that.
I want to thank my family for never giving up or giving in to my captors demands. I am
truly overwhelmed by their love and support and am so very fortunate to have the
family that I do.
I am especially grateful to my sister Nicky Bonney, my sister-in-law Kellie Brennan and
Amanda Lindhout’s mother - Lorrinda Stewart for taking on the tough roles including
crisis management and hostage negotiation. They never gave up. I’m here today
because of their courage and determination. I am indebted to these three women and
will never be able to thank them enough, they are all simply amazing.
I want to thank both Dick Smith and Bob Brown for their financial backing – and thanks
to the many others who contributed to fundraising efforts. I am lucky to come from a
country with such selfless individuals.
I would also like to thank John Chase of AKE and the extraction team for all their
expertise in getting me out of Somalia safely - at great risk to themselves. I would also
like to thank my extended family and friends for the support they have given my family
during this ordeal.
I know there has been some criticism of the government but there are some
individuals and agencies I would like to thank including:
The Australian High Commissioner in Kenya, Lisa Filipetto and her staff for their
support.
The staff of the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Australian Federal police
for their work over the past 15 months.
The Australian Defence Force for sending their expert psychologist to help me
with the initial stages of my recovery.
And the Australian, Canadian and Somalian Governments for their help since
my release.
I would also like to thank,
The management, doctors and nursing staff of the Aga Khan University Hospital
in Nairobi for the amazing treatment I was given on arrival in Kenya.
The management and staff of the Windsor Golf Hotel & Country Club and the
Tribe Hotel for taking exceptionally good care of myself and mum after I was
discharged from hospital.
And, to the flight crew of Emirates Airlines for finally bring me home to
Australia.
I also need to thank the Australian media for their discretion about media
coverage during my imprisonment which protected
the very
sensitive
negotiations and my safety.
Finally, to my good friend and colleague Amanda Lindhout.
Thank you for all the support, friendship and love that you gave me throughout this
ordeal. Even though for the most part we were completely isolated from each other -
just knowing you were through the wall or down the corridor was an unbelievable
comfort.
You helped me get through the ups and downs of each day and I couldn’t
have done it without you.
Since coming home on Sunday I’ve caught up with Mum and Dad and enjoyed some
time with my brother Matt and sister in law Kellie and their kids.
Simple things like swimming in the pool and throwing the kids around has been
fantastic. Being able to sit down and talk with Mum and Dad after so long without
conversation with anyone has been amazing.
I’m also looking forward to spending some time with my brother Hamilton and sister
Nicky and their families.
People are still kindly asking about my health. I want everyone to know I’m getting
better every day. But, I find I’m still trying to come to terms with the enormity of it all. I
still have a way to go. That’s why I’d be very grateful if everyone gave me a bit of
space and some time to get better.
For now I just want to spend some quiet time with my family and we all have some
healing and some catching up to do. They need a break after everything they’ve been
through as well.
Again thanks to everyone, and thanks for coming out here this morning.
NEWS 
