Milton State School 125th Anniversary – ‘Fair on the Green’

It is Kaye’s and my genuine and absolute pleasure to join you today on this marvellous occasion, commemorating a school that has been an integral part of inner-Brisbane life for a hundred and twenty-five years.

Today’s celebrations are especially important to us for two reasons. The first is because my own mother taught at Milton State School during the 1960s. I was deeply moved – and I must add, quite surprised – when, upon driving into the Governor’s residence up the hill for the first time following my swearing-in ceremony in July, we were greeted, so enthusiastically, by students from Milton State School. The students followed Kaye and me up the drive-way, and one of my very first duties as Governor of Queensland was addressing them on Fernberg’s lower lawns.

It is a moment that Kaye and I continue to cherish, and we were particularly heartened by the eminently courteous and respectful manner in which all students conducted themselves, so credit to the dedicated teachers and administrative staff of this fine school.

Great schools are also the foundations of great communities. So the second reason we are so genuinely pleased to be here today is because we have recently moved into the neighbourhood. We can proudly say, this is now ‘our’ community, too. And at its core, is this impressive school.

As a teacher, my mother sought to instil in pupils an understanding that an inquiring mind was antecedent to enduring intellectual nourishment and satisfaction. Indeed, it was something she taught not just as a teacher, but as a mother. It is immeasurably pleasing to see this school continue to strive to develop, so successfully, well-balanced, inquisitive students.

This is evident through the school’s commitment to creating a ‘Tradition of Excellence’, offering students a diverse range of academic, cultural, sporting and social program opportunities. Shortly I will assist the school principal in sealing a time capsule that will preserve this ‘Tradition of Excellence’ for future generations, and I am honoured to have been asked to contribute to this a copy of the program from my swearing-in as your Governor on 29 July 2014.

Please, let us enjoy this wonderful occasion, here with friends, family, and, Kaye and I can now proudly say, neighbours. I now officially declare open the Milton State School 125th Anniversary ‘Fair on the Green’.