Reception for the Local Government Association of Queensland annual conference

Representatives from the Local Government Association of Queensland; Mayors, CEOs and community leaders from across the State; ladies and gentlemen.

Kaye and I warmly welcome you to Government House this afternoon, on the eve of the LGAQ 2018 conference.

After more than four years of a busy regional travel program to fulfil my pledge to be Governor for all Queenslanders, we are delighted to have local government representatives from all over the State visit us.

I am proud to say that the pace of our regional program of travel has not slackened in those four years.

So far even in 2018, we have made more than 50 visits to regional areas.

Indeed, we look forward to being in Longreach and Winton in the next few days.

We are delighted also to see many familiar faces, and to recall the extraordinary warmth of our welcome in so many parts of Queensland by local mayors, councillors and council staff.

Mayors, you have been very welcoming to Kaye and me when we have visited your regions.

Those visits have been real highlights for us, with the opportunity to meet so many wonderful Queenslanders – it has also been a delight for us to welcome many of you as guests to Government House – don’t worry, more to come!

And a special welcome, by the way, at Jacaranda time – I was alarmed yesterday to hear a suggestion that Grafton may be eclipsing Brisbane in the Jacaranda stakes: I hope that is nonsense.

Long may we proclaim our beautiful Jacarandas as emblematic for South-East Queensland.

The regional experience has long been a highlight of our time in the Vice-Regal role.

Kaye and I were long imbued with country life and values, and though in this role necessarily based in Brisbane, we have regarded it as a real privilege to visit regularly our regional communities – and yes, Hungerford, with a population of 23, you remain very much ‘on our books’!

The challenges councils face are substantial.

Fewer than 80 councils represent more than five million Queenslanders spread across more than 1.7 million square kilometres, an area larger than 90 percent of all the countries of the world.

Furthermore, our vast, decentralised State comprises large, densely-populated urban areas, remote rural shires with small populations, and everything in between.

Councils are squarely in the front line of delivery of vital services to these communities.

And, if we look at the totality of the record of local governments in our State, we see hard-working people, deeply engaged with their communities, and dedicated to their well-being. 

In that respect, councils have played a critical leadership role in maintaining community resilience and optimism in difficult times.

Nowhere has this been more evident than over the past years of relentless drought.

With 28 shires still fully or partially drought-declared, that leadership role will be vital for some time to come.

Other councils and their communities, including in our big cities, have shown their concern and practical support.

Clearly, as a State, we are more successful in facing down difficult times when we work together in this way.

I thank and congratulate you all, most sincerely, on the energy and commitment you devote to your communities.

I thank the LGAQ for 122 years of representing and supporting councils in the State, and ensuring their voices are heard.

I was most pleased to invest Greg Hallam recently here with his Order of Australia. Greg has done great work for you, for all of us, over many years.

Being for a short time at last year’s conference in Gladstone was a privilege for Kaye and me.

I am sure this conference will also be inspiring for you all: and you will then go on to inspire your people, who – most often – greatly appreciate your dedication.

Thank you.