Skip to main navigation Skip to main content

27th Governor of Queensland Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM

Text size

  1. Homepage
  2. The Governor of Queensland
  3. Speeches
  4. Australian Festival of Chamber Music's James Cook University Opening Night and Governor's Gala Concert
Back to Speeches

Australian Festival of Chamber Music's James Cook University Opening Night and Governor's Gala Concert

Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd), and Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley; representing the Minister for Tourism, Innovation and Sport, Member for Mundingburra, Mr Leslie Walker MP; Australian Festival of Chamber Music, Chair, Ms Mary Jo Capps and Members of the Board, Executive Director, Dr Ricardo Peach and Artistic Director, Mr Jack Lieveck; festival donors and supporters; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls.

I begin by acknowledging the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we gather, and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and to any First Nations people here this evening.

What a delight and a privilege to be here, and in a dual capacity, as the 27th Governor of Queensland and as Patron of the Australian Festival of Chamber Music.

It is wonderful to be back in Townsville, where yesterday I had the privilege of fulfilling one of my most important ceremonial duties as Governor, being the conferral of Australian Honours and Awards on deserving Queenslanders who hail from this wonderful city and surrounds.

Tonight, I have the pleasure of addressing you at the Governor’s Gala, an event that is, in my humble opinion, a highlight in a ten-day program of highlights.

If that doesn’t scream ‘Romance Isn’t Dead, Yet’, I don’t know what does!

Needless to say, I’m a tad envious I can’t be based in Townsville for the entire festival.

However, I am thankful to be able to enjoy tonight’s performances of some of my favourite pieces of classical music played by a stunningly talented line-up of artists.

One glance at the line-up for this year’s 10-day festival and it is little wonder it has become such a mainstay of Townsville’s cultural calendar.

The sheer scale of the festival, with its 30 concerts and more than 100 works by an equal number of composers, including many from the local area, speaks volumes about its popularity and its commercial success.

And that can only mean many more years of exceptional chamber music, performed by world-class musicians in a stunning setting, are yet to come.

I wish you all a wonderful festival and an excellent week, and without further ado invite you to listen to those we came from far and near to hear tonight.

Thank you.