Banana Shire Council Deputy Mayor, Councillor Terri Boyce; members of the Taroom community and surrounds, good morning!
I begin by acknowledging the Original Custodians of the lands on which we gather, and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and to all First Nations people here today.
I am delighted to be here in Taroom, on what is my first official Vice-Regal visit as Governor, and to be here at the Ludwig Leichardt tree, named, of course, in honour of the Prussian Explorer who carved his initials “LL44” on this very tree when he passed through in 1844.
On returning to Sydney following his epic 14-month journey from Jimbour to Port Essington, Ludwig was extremely enthusiastic about the fertile soils around Taroom. This caused a minor land boom as people travelled to the area to settle and graze sheep and later cattle.
Those same soils play such an important role in supporting our State’s agricultural industry today, just as you all do, whether that is working on the land directly as a primary producer, or supporting the many grazier families that rely on the people and services of your beautiful town.
At my swearing in, I made a pledge to be a Governor for all of Queensland, and to travel widely throughout the State to visit and support Queenslanders wherever they may live – and in the last couple of days I’ve also had the pleasure of visiting the communities of Monto and Theodore, both of which are celebrating their centenaries this year.
Another of my commitments I have made as Governor is to visit every public hospital and health service in the State throughout my term, and this morning I enjoyed popping into the Taroom Hospital to meet with staff and thank them, on behalf of all Queenslanders, for their hard work and dedication.
What Taroom may lack in relative size, it certainly makes up for in heart, and each of you joining us today, represent a community that comes together to offer support, motivation and a helping hand when it is needed.
Thank you for welcoming me so warmly. I look forward to hearing more about life in your delightful town over a cuppa.
