Formal Dinner in Honour of Australian Honours and Awards Recipients

Ladies and gentlemen, it is Kaye’s and my absolute pleasure to welcome you all to Fernberg, and especially to the State Dining Room.

It is here, for well over a century, Governors, and their spouses, have memorably thanked, acknowledged and supported the many wonderful and generously-aligned people of our State.

Tonight is no exception, hosting tonight Queenslanders whose contributions – in many aspects of health and mental health education and research, to professional associations and community organisations, to surf life saving and the law, to our State’s economic development, to the welfare of Queensland people in the remote but vitally important communities of the Torres Strait, and for distinguished military service – have earned you our nation’s highest respect and admiration, evinced through the honours and awards presented this week.

The honours and awards presented this week evidence great diversity and depth in our Queensland capabilities. We still have some way to go to improve the gender balance in this recognition – in short we need more women to be nominated.  However, I was heartened to note that two thirds of recipients receiving the highest honour presented at Government House this week – those appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia – are women.

The contentment and advancement of our society reliably depends upon all of your contributions.

Please accept the finest Queensland hospitality served here at Government House as a token of the gratitude I channel to you, as Governor, with Kaye, on behalf of your fellow Queenslanders.

Thank you.