Longreach Regional Council Mayor, Councillor Tony Rayner; Director-General, Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation, Ms Patricia O’Callaghan; Opera Queensland Chair, Ms Linda Apelt and Directors of the Board, CEO and Artistic Director, Mr Patrick Nolan, Executive Director, Mr Adam Tucker, and all performers; Mr James Walker, Director of Opera Queensland and owner, Camden Park Station; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen.

I begin by acknowledging the Traditional Owners of the lands around Longreach and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and to all First Nations people here this evening.

As Joint Patrons of Opera Queensland, Graeme and I are passionate advocates of the Festival of Outback Opera and I am delighted to be back in Longreach to again experience Singing in the Night.

Graeme is very sorry he can’t be here this weekend.

I know that many of you share our commitment to this unique venture and now travel to Longreach every year, drawn here by the opportunity to hear performances by exceptional artists on this remarkable site, and by the belief that, with sufficient will and support, the seemingly impossible can be achieved.

Big dreams demand courage, commitment and confidence. When Opera Queensland’s CEO and Artistic Director, Patrick Nolan, launched the inaugural Festival of Outback Opera six years ago, he did so with a clear belief that audiences would follow.

And the statistics demonstrate that they certainly have! Last year, the Festival contributed over $2 million to the Queensland economy, $1.8 million of that going directly to this region.  

And the takings for businesses in both Longreach and Winton for the week of the Festival each year now exceed any other event.  

What’s more, this Festival is now a vital part of the economy and the life of the region that welcomes it so warmly each year.  

This has been particularly important in recent months, and I take this opportunity to thank those of you who have travelled here to be part of the Festival for the invaluable support you have brought to the region.

Another very important reason we have found our way out here again this year is to support another incredible cause, the Outback Queensland Cattle Drive, which kicks off in a cloud of dust tomorrow morning just down the highway here, outside of town.

I would like to take this opportunity to invite you all to join me at 6:45am at the Camp Draft Arena behind the Stockman’s Hall of Fame to see me swing on a gate and hear some Opera as the cattle drive starts its 445-kilometre journey to Blackall.  

It is a great spectacle and a great cause and definitely worth the early wake-up, so I hope to see you there!

Meanwhile, the contribution of this event is vital, particularly as the Brisbane 2032 Cultural Olympiad is launched in the lead up the Olympic and Paralympic Games in just six years’ time. This multi-year celebration will be transformational for communities like this throughout the State and give Queensland creativity a global platform.  

It’s a once-in-a-generation opportunity and, as Patrons, Graeme and I are proud and pleased to see Opera Queensland leading the way.

As Governor, I have the privilege of speaking for all Queenslanders and it is on their behalf that I also wish to thank the state and federal Governments, Tourism Events Queensland, Outback Queensland Tourism, their commercial partners and the many other generous sponsors and donors for their ongoing investment in Opera Queensland.  

It is only with this fundamental support that the Company can engage the artists, staff and services needed to deliver an event such as this and reach its goal of being a company for the whole of Queensland.  

Like you, I am looking forward immensely to hearing the magnificent voice of this year’s special guest, Filipe Manu, as well as the artists of Opera Queensland and the musicians of Camerata, Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra, and The University of Queensland’s School of Music.

Together, I know they will give us all a night to remember – enjoy!