2018 National Trust Queensland Heritage Awards

Minister Enoch; Councillor Howard, representing the Lord Mayor of Brisbane; National Trust Queensland President, Dr Ian Galloway and Members of the Board; distinguished guests; all,

I at once acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land around Brisbane, the Turrbal and Jagera peoples, and express respect for their Elders, past and present.

I am delighted to join National Trust Queensland for this year’s celebration of our State’s rich natural, Indigenous and cultural heritage – and it is always a pleasure to visit this marvellous building, which has been such an important part of Queensland life and memories for more than 120 years.

Annual events such as this encourage us to pause and take stock, and as Patron of the Trust here in Queensland, I am proud to note that the past twelve months for this wonderful organisation have seen an exciting new phase of rejuvenation.

It may have celebrated its fifty-fifth birthday, but the Trust in Queensland is far from sliding into comfortable middle-age!

The impressive list of recent advocacy successes is proof of that. Members of the Trust have prepared submissions on two Heritage Register nominations and four proposed developments. They’ve also presented a stimulating series of Trust Talks in iconic venues such as Boggo Road Gaol and the Spring Hill Reservoir, and just last month, they launched a terrific new e-newsletter, The Heritage Advocate.

The title of the newsletter was chosen with care, recognising that advocacy, particularly strategic advocacy, is fundamental to the work and success of the Trust. In that context, the Advocate is much more than a newsletter; it is a means of reaching out to members, followers and supporters to encourage them to get behind campaigns, help identify heritage under threat, and become advocates for projects in their own neighbourhoods and in communities throughout our vast State.

One of the most important facets of the Trust’s advocacy is recognising and honouring the committed and passionate Queenslanders who help protect and conserve our heritage.

The Queensland Heritage awards do that well, and I look forward to hearing more very shortly about the outstanding people and projects chosen as this year’s winners.

The culmination of this wonderful awards night is the announcement of the Lifetime Achievement Award and the John Herbert Memorial Award. I have the honour of presenting both winners with their framed certificates a little later on.

Right now though, may I congratulate everyone involved in planning and organising these awards and this splendid celebration, and wish you all a most enjoyable evening.