Tuesday 16 September 2025

Chief Executive Officer, Special Olympics Australia, Mr Jamie O’Connor; Athlete Services Coordinator, Ms Susie Bennett-Yeo; Queensland Special Olympics Team Members, your family, friends and invited guests; ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls.

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 morning.

As Governor of Queensland and Joint Patron––along with my husband Graeme––of Special Olympics Queensland, Graeme and I am delighted to welcome you to Government House to this presentation of Australian Sports Medals.

Today we gather to honour and celebrate the remarkable achievements of a number of athletes and officials for their outstanding commitment to sport, inclusion and excellence.

I fondly recall hosting representatives of Special Olympics Queensland here in May 2023 where, as Patron, I had the privilege of presenting team uniforms to those attending the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Berlin the following month.

In Berlin, the 64 athletes who represented Team Australia competed across nine sports: Athletics, basketball, bocce, equestrian, golf, gymnastics, swimming, tennis and tenpin bowling. Collectively they won 63 medals. Queensland athletes took home 35 of these medals: 6 gold, 13 silver and 16 bronze. An amazing result!

And today, finally, we are able to formally acknowledge and celebrate our athletes and officials from those Berlin Games!

The Australian Sports Medals, being presented today, were first introduced in the year 2000 to commemorate Australian sporting achievements in that year. Following changes, the medals are now awarded to commemorate Australian sporting participation in multi-sports events including the Special Olympics World Winter and Summer Games.

The medal recognises the efforts of a range of Australians, including competitors, coaches, sports scientists, office holders and those who maintain sporting facilities and services.

Australia has a long and proud history as a sporting nation. As Australians, we love our sport. Some 11 million Australian adults and three million children take part in sport each year.

The work of Special Olympics Queensland is vital in ensuring everyone, regardless of ability, has the opportunity participate in sport and to thrive.

At this point I would like to acknowledge and congratulate the new CEO of Special Olympics Australia, Mr Jamie O’Connor, and offer my thanks for the important work the organisation does in fostering the acceptance and inclusion of people with intellectual disability or autism in sport and community.

Next February, Special Olympics Australia will celebrate its 50^th anniversary and to mark this special milestone the organisation will host its national games in Melbourne next October. This is a major undertaking, and I acknowledge all of those involved in its planning and delivery.

I know you will do Australia proud, with those games only serving to intensify excitement in the lead up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

To today’s medal recipients, your contributions to sport and to the Special Olympics movement have been not only uplifting and inspiring but have also helped shape a more inclusive and united Australia.

To the coaching staff being honoured today, your dedication behind the scenes is the foundation upon which these athletes stand. Your impact may not always be visible on the scoreboard, but it is deeply felt in every life you’ve touched.

To the family members, carers and friends here today, thank you for the support and encouragement you provide to these athletes and officials every day.

As your Joint Patrons, Graeme and I offer our deepest congratulations and appreciation for the opportunity to be associated with the Special Olympics. We wish you all continued success. Well done!

Minister for Women and Women’s Economic Security, Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships and Minister for Multiculturalism, the Honourable Fiona Simpson MP; Deputy Leader of the Opposition, the Honourable Cameron Dick MP; Consul-General of Papua New Guinea Mr Reatau Maraki RAU and Mrs Susan RAU; Members of the Consular Corps of Queensland past and present; CEO of Trade and Investment Queensland, Mr Justin McGowan and Director of the Queensland State Office of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ms Trudy McGowan, OAM; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen.

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

Graeme and I welcome you all to Government House this afternoon, on the anniversary of the day—exactly 50 years ago—when Papua New Guinea achieved its independence.

At the time, Australian Prime Minister, Gough Whitlam, addressed the crowds at Port Moresby, saying: “There can never be a more important day in a nation’s history, than its birthday” and today, I am proud to be celebrating this historic golden jubilee milestone with all of you, on behalf of the people of Queensland.

While we reflect on the events of the 16^th of September 1975, and the immense excitement and pride that special day brought, we also acknowledge the courage, enthusiasm and ambition of the people of Papua New Guinea, who had worked so hard and with such determination to create a self-governing, democratic nation.

Papua New Guinea’s rich cultural diversity, and vibrant traditions draw on a past that stretches back millennia, to a time when our two countries were part of the same ancient mega-continent.

We share histories that have shaped our part of the world, and are united by a commitment for peace and prosperity. Together, we have lived through two world wars, and of course, this year, while we recognise the 80^th Anniversary of the Victory in the Pacific, we also acknowledge the significance of such campaigns as those fought at Milne Bay and on the Kokoda Trail, and the vital contribution of the brave Papuan and New Guinean men who saved lives and helped prevent the war from reaching Australia’s shores.

As trading partners, we are each strengthened by a healthy exchange of goods, investment and ideas that enhance both of our nations, and generate enormous optimism. And as Australia’s closest neighbour, we enjoy a friendship built on understanding and trust, that reaches back to long before the Australian flag was lowered and that of Papua New Guinea raised.

While our pasts are intertwined, we also look towards a shared future with confidence and hope… and a mutual love for rugby league that in 2028 will see a new team become part of the NRL Premiership!

In Queensland, we are proud to be home to many thousands of Papua New Guinean Australians, and we welcome the richness they bring to their communities, and the enterprise they bring to business.

And, of course, Papua New Guinea itself is a beautiful and unique country that continues to attract ever increasing tourists. Its waters hold the highest level of marine biodiversity on the planet, the scope of its tropical rainforests is second only to those of the Amazon and Congo basin, and there are more than 800 known languages spoken by its people.

With a young and growing population, I know that Papua New Guinea will continue to face any challenges with tenacity, and to embrace the hopes of the future with passion.

Thank you everyone for your contributions to building such a valuable bond between our nations, and with our state, and I hope you enjoy this opportunity to celebrate this most special of days.