Reception for Boys’ and Girls’ Brigade for the Presentation of the Queen’s Badges and Queen’s Awards

Kaye and I are always delighted to welcome the Boys’ and Girls’ Brigade to Government House, and we extend a particularly warm welcome to this year’s recipients of the Queen’s Badge and the Queen’s Award, and to senior representatives of the Boys’ and Girl’s Brigade in Queensland, and from the national body.

I recently learned that the Boys’ Brigade has opened a new History and Memorabilia Centre at the Glengarry Education Centre.

I congratulate the Boys’ Brigade on this initiative, because while it is appropriate for an organization focused on young people to have its face set firmly towards the future, it is also important to remember the past; to honour and to learn its lessons.

It seems enormously relevant to today’s celebration, for both the Boys’ and the Girls’ Brigades, because while today is certainly a day for celebration – for our award recipients, their families and friends, and a day of pride for me, as your Patron – it is also timely to reflect on the past, and on the hard work and effort that went into these awards.

The Queen’s Badge and the Queen’s Award are not gifts.

They are not awarded simply for ‘doing your time’.

They must be earned, and what is so impressive to me is that they must be earned at a time of your lives when there are so many competing demands on your time.

The world is full of “mass distraction”; a wealth of devices, information and activities which can easily erode focus and commitment.

That you have avoided these distractions, and devoted your scarce time to the demands of your faith, your Brigades and your community, in order to earn these awards, is most commendable.

I am certain there are times it must have been difficult to persevere, and so I also acknowledge the role of your families, who have supported and encouraged you, and who are looking on, so very proudly, here today.

And I thank, most sincerely, the Brigade leaders without whom there would be no Brigades, and to acknowledge them for their contribution to the development of these outstanding young people.

As Patron of the Girls’ and Boys’ Brigades, I am delighted at the evidence here today of Brigades in good health, and making an enduring contribution to the development of our young people, and through them, to our entire Queensland community.