Sunday 10 August 2025

Royal Queensland Golf Club President, Mr Robert McAfee; Vice President, Mr Liam Ryan; Captain, Mr Roger Jones; Vice-Captain, Mr Jean-Marc Vidot; Board Members; Ladies Captain, Ms Rosemary McKeon; Honorary Life Members; club members; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen.

I begin by acknowledging the Original Custodians of the lands around Brisbane, the Turrbal and Jagera people, and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and to any First Nations people here this afternoon.

As Patron of the Royal Queensland Golf Club, I am delighted to join members this afternoon for my third Heritage Day luncheon.

Since its formation in 1920, the Royal Queensland Golf Club has enjoyed long-standing Regal and Vice-Regal ties and I thank the Club for continuing the proud tradition of inviting Queensland Governors to this annual event.

Over more than a century, the Club has built a rich history and heritage — hosting many of the world’s finest players, nurturing outstanding talent, and staging internationally significant professional and amateur tournaments. That proud legacy continues this November, when the Club hosts the BMW Australian PGA Championship.

From its humble beginnings in Scotland in the 16^th century, the popularity of golf has risen to become a global phenomenon. Today golf is attracting a broader demographic of players, with more women and children participating in the sport in greater numbers.

I commend the Royal Queensland Golf Club for its Ladies Clinic Program which aims to develop the talent of its female golf members, and for its decision in 2005 to establish the Governor’s Medal to recognise and reward female golfers.

The inclusion of golf in the Olympic Games in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, after an absence of 112 years from these Games, has served to further consolidate its status as a global sport.

And as we know, the Royal Queensland Golf Club has been designated as the golf venue for the Brisbane Olympics in 2032. I congratulate the club for securing the 2032 tournament, which as we know will be broadcast to a worldwide audience––likely in the billions.

Becoming the only Australian golf course to host an Olympic tournament demonstrates the Royal Queensland Golf Club’s commitment to excellence, innovation and progress.

It also reflects the significance of this venue as a premier golfing destination and can be directly attributed to the outstanding stewardship of this club’s leaders.

I understand that a great deal of planning is underway to ensure the club continues to provide a world-class championship course and secures the associated Olympic infrastructure needed to host this iconic global event.

I wish all of you who are involved with this initiative much success for the important roles you will play, along with others, in its planning and delivery.

I am certain you will do both the club and Queensland proud.

I look forward to presenting the Governor’s Medal to a deserving female member of the club, along with the Governor’s Trophy, the Carnegie Hickory Championship and the Governor-General’s Trophy. I acknowledge all of those who competed in these four events, and I extend my sincere congratulations to today’s winners.

In closing, I thank Mr McAfee for his warm welcome and generous hospitality. I also wish to acknowledge the club’s General Manager, Mr Sean Dobson, and his expert team who work tirelessly to ensure this spectacular course is meticulously maintained.

The ongoing dedication of the club’s management, supporters and members ensures the Royal Queensland Golf Club is in good hands.

Thank you again for the invitation to join you for this memorable afternoon.