Government House Queensland
Close to 200 guests gathered in the gardens of Government House on Thursday evening to mark International Women’s Day 2026, bringing together women from across Queensland representing a remarkable breadth of professions, communities and generations.
The reception welcomed leaders from government, the judiciary, community organisations, frontline services, the Australian Defence Force, business, education and the arts — reflecting the many ways women contribute to the life of the State.
In her remarks, the Governor acknowledged the long journey toward equality and the relatively recent history of women’s leadership across many fields in Queensland.
“The opportunity for women to make such an impact is, in historical terms, quite recent,” Her Excellency said, noting that in 1929 there were no women elected to the Queensland Parliament, that women in the Queensland Police Service were not sworn in as officers until 1965, and that the first Indigenous woman graduated from a Queensland university only in 1966.
Reflecting on this year’s International Women’s Day theme, Balance the Scales, the Governor observed that Queensland’s own vice-regal history provides a striking example of progress.
“I must, of course, make mention of the fact that our State has seen more female than male Governors from this point on,” she said, acknowledging former Governors including the Honourable Leneen Forde, the Honourable Dame Quentin Bryce and the Honourable Penelope Wensley.
“This near-reversal of the gender imbalance at our highest levels of governance seems to have pre-empted the call by UN Women Australia this year to ‘Balance the Scales’.”
Her Excellency welcomed guests alongside Professor Nimmo, thanking them for the leadership they show in their respective fields and for their commitment to improving opportunities and outcomes for women and girls across Queensland.
“It is a pleasure to see before me an incredibly talented, motivated, and generous group of Queenslanders who not only exemplify qualities of compassion and empathy but also demonstrate a steely determination to improve outcomes for girls and women in this state.”
The Governor also highlighted the importance of mentoring and leadership in supporting the next generation.
“For all of us here this afternoon, our positions of leadership come with an additional responsibility—to empower the next generation, regardless of gender—to become catalysts for lasting change.”
Guests were encouraged to use the evening as an opportunity to connect with others who share a commitment to building a more equitable future.
The reception also featured performances by the St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School String Quartet and the Serenading Sopranos, adding to the celebratory atmosphere in the gardens.
International Women’s Day is both a moment to recognise the achievements of women and a call to continue advancing equality. The gathering at Government House provided an opportunity to do both — celebrating progress while reinforcing the shared responsibility to support and inspire those who will lead the next chapter.