Reception in honour of His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales

His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales; our Premier, the Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk; Distinguished Guests, including former Governors of Queensland; Ladies and Gentlemen,

I begin by at once acknowledging the traditional custodians of the lands and waters of Queensland, with my expression of respect for their Elders.

Kaye and I welcome you all to Government House this evening, and repeat Kaye’s and my welcome extended to His Royal Highness a couple of nights ago, which was, then, a welcome back to Fernberg.

This is, I must say, only the latest in a series of recent warm welcomes Queenslanders have extended to the Prince. 

There was the rousing initial cheer which greeted the Prince and Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cornwall as they disembarked at the Airport on Wednesday, then there were the ebullient crowds in the Botanic Gardens, the throngs at Broadbeach yesterday, and the enthusiastic members of the Bundaberg community today – and I’m sure, many more to come, Sir, as your busy program unfolds in coming days.

This, ladies and gentlemen, is His Royal Highness’s 16th visit to Australia and his 7th visit to Queensland.  May I affirm that Queenslanders have greatly appreciated these visits.  They have resulted in lasting, fond memories.  This particular visit will live, in our special memories, as the time the Prince, accompanied by Her Royal Highness the Duchess, formally opened our Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.

The spectacular opening ceremony last Wednesday evening indelibly set the tone for what are unfolding as wonderfully successful Games, Games with friendliness and long lasting relationships among Commonwealth nations the most important outcomes. That is certainly cause for celebration.

So too is the presence in this Drawing Room tonight of Australians whom His Royal Highness met during those previous visits.

Each of you, ladies and gentlemen, represents, in some way, historic ties of friendship and fellowship, and of service and self-sacrifice; ties which run, long and strongly, through the relationship between Queensland, the Royal Family and His Royal Highness himself.

In particular, I mention His Royal Highness’s longstanding support of what is a model of altruistic State-wide mutual public support, especially of our emblematic regions - the Royal Flying Doctor Service (this year marking its 90th anniversary).  His Royal Highness intends visiting the RFDS in Cairns.

And I also mention his steadfast support for inspiring Australian philanthropic organisations including the Prince Charles Hospital Foundation, the Australian Wildlife Conservancy and the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame in my childhood town of Longreach.

And I recognise, with respect and gratitude, the immensely important - and sometimes, under-recognised - work of the Prince’s Trust Australia.

Its work is broad-ranging and innovative, and I particularly highlight the Trust’s support in Queensland for Defence families, the environment and sustainability.

Yet another cause for celebration – yes, dare I say as an older person, celebration – is that His Royal Highness is to turn 70 later this year, as will I and many others in this room whose 70th birthdays are to happen in this therefore auspicious year!

We are delighted to celebrate tonight the prospect of His Royal Highness’s 70th birthday, on my calculation carried out in my study this morning, in 222 days’ time… a calculation carried out, as an ‘old person’ I am proud to say, arithmetically!

And so, we thank His Royal Highness for so many years of service to our Commonwealth community: that is, service which enlivens our people, energising and uniting them, service reflecting themes which epitomize these Commonwealth Games: the world works better when we all work together.

Thank you Sir, for your compelling encouragement in that regard.

Speaking for all Queenslanders, Kaye and I wish his Royal Highness the very best for the rest of his Queensland and Australian visit, and again formally thank him for his much valued support for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.

I hope my gratitude, indeed that of us all for his inspiring presence, on this 7th occasion in this State of which we are so proud, is palpable!

And I say, with great sincerity and on behalf of all Queenslanders, Sir, that we do hope to see both you and the Duchess back in our very special part of Australia soon!

With that gratitude and in that hope, ladies and gentlemen, would you please join me now in drinking to the health of “Their Royal Highnesses".