Globally Engaging Networking Event and Presentation of McCullough Robertson Life Sciences Queensland Industry Excellence Award

Thank you for your introduction Stuart. I acknowledge the many distinguished guests and members of Life Sciences Queensland present here tonight.

I was very pleased to accept the invitation to become the second vice-regal Patron of Life Sciences Queensland. I know that my predecessor as Governor, Ms Penelope Wensley AC, was a proactive inaugural patron, and I am so delighted to also support this visionary Queensland organisation.

LSQ’s founding aspiration was deceptively simple – to develop the life science industry in this State. It was a broad and lofty goal, but events such as tonight’s Globally Engaging Networking Event and awards indicate clearly that it is succeeding. Members have been given opportunities to build businesses that are strong, competitive and sustainable, and LSQ has developed a close relationship with the State government to develop a policy environment critical to the continued success of those businesses.

The strength of the relationship with government demonstrates the high regard in which LSQ is held, but a second indicator of that reputation is its success in securing supporters, all of whom have made an in-principle, five-year financial contribution to LSQ. That is a significant commitment and, without it, the organisation could not continue. On behalf of all Queenslanders, I thank them for that commitment.

All supporters are important, but in the context of the award I am presenting tonight, I thank one in particular – McCullough Robertson. They have now been supporting the LSQ Industry Excellence Award for seven years and I am very pleased, as a former lawyer, to have the privilege of presenting their award today.

The key word in the title of the McCullough Robertson Award is ‘excellence’, and it is clear, even to me as a non-scientist, that the calibre of the three finalists is exceptional. It is also clear, reading their biographies, that all three have the imagination, dedication, energy, and entrepreneurial spirit to take an idea – a dream – and bring it to fruition. All three have made an outstanding contribution to the development of the life sciences in Queensland; all three are splendid role models and leaders who can inspire new generations of life scientists; and all three have looked beyond themselves to a vision of a better world.

I congratulate them all on their nomination for the McCullough Robertson LSQ Industry Excellence Award, which I now have the honour and pleasure to present to the winner. I also congratulate, in advance, the other award winners who are shortly to be announced and recognised tonight.