Presentation of the New Queen’s and Regimental Colours to the 9th Battalion, The Royal Queensland Regiment

As Representative Colonel, it has been with enormous pride that I have inspected The Royal Queensland Regiment on parade here today. With my wife Kaye, I congratulate all Battalions, and the Australian Army Band Brisbane, upon their turnout and drill, exemplifying the highest standard of impeccable ceremonial presentation.

Your discipline augurs well for the security of our society.

Earlier this week, as Administrator, and, for a time your Commander-in-Chief, I was greatly honoured to attend at Greenbank the 2014 Royal Queensland Regiment Cup, presenting the Passchendaele Shield to the Champion Section, 9 Section.

I am here today, though, as your Governor. It gives me further and enormous pride, in this role, as Her Majesty The Queen’s representative in our great State, to present you with the new Queen’s and Regimental Colours.

This is occurring 47 years after one of my predecessors, the 18th Governor of Queensland, Sir Alan Mansfield, presented the original Colours to the Battalion in August 1967.

Some of you here today were also present on that occasion in 1967. His Excellency the Governor entrusted you with those Colours so that you might be emboldened to continue to uphold the highest of standards, such as were conspicuously evident to then at battles in South Africa, on the Western Front during the First World War, and during the Second World War in England, Africa, Syria, New Guinea and Borneo.

Those standards have ever since been upheld. Since that presentation of the original Colours, members of 9 RQR, and indeed all Battalions of the Regiment, have admirably discharged their sacrificial duties. Members have enhanced and added lustre to the spirit of service, self-sacrifice, and courage those Colours represent, including recently through courageous deployments to Timor and the Solomon Islands, and the supporting role members have played in conflicts in the Middle East. For the broader community I represent, your contribution is humbling.

Let this be clear, their service even in those foreign lands goes to ensure the preservation of our freedoms here.

All of this is poignantly highlighted during this, the 100th year since Queensland became involved in the First World War, and as we prepare to mark next year’s centenary of the landing at Gallipoli.  

There is additional significance in today’s ceremony – recognising the debt we as a nation owe to all service men and women, particularly those currently under deployment.

In the lead up to the festive season, we particularly remember their sacrifice, and that of their families. 

Men and women of the 9th Battalion, The Royal Queensland Regiment: may these new Colours ever more inspire you in the discharge of the grand public commitment you so generously undertake.