Morning Tea in Support of the Queensland Community Foundation and 2021 General Fund Grants Presentation

Our 22^nd Governor, the Honourable Leneen Forde; former member of the Queensland Executive Council, Mr Andrew Fraser; Queensland Community Foundation Chair, the Honourable Margaret McMurdo and members of the Foundation’s Board of Governors; Public Trustee, Mr Samay Zhouand; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen.

I at once acknowledge the traditional owners of these lands and extend respectful greetings to Elders and emerging leaders.

I warmly welcome you all to Government House this morning, as I look forward to shortly awarding the Queensland Community Foundation 2021 General Fund grants to today’s worthy recipients.

This occasion also enables me to acknowledge the many generous people who volunteer their time and expertise to the QCF, and those who support it through vital sponsorship and donations. 

Indeed, since its inception in 1997 – under the visionary guidance of former Queensland Premier, founding Chair, and Patron, the Honourable Mike Ahern – the QCF has become a philanthropic powerhouse in this State, distributing over $30 million in trust funds over its 24 years.

During the past year, the endeavours of Queensland’s myriad charitable and community organisations have been more essential than ever.

Yet, as COVID-19 has generated increased demand for activities and services, it has also made access to them significantly more difficult –particularly for our most vulnerable – and has caused major disruptions to key fund-raising opportunities.  

This has truly tested the ability of charities to successfully operate, and highlighted the benefits of the capacity building afforded through the grants offered by the QCF.

Indeed, I have been impressed by the way so many of our State’s not-for-profits have cleverly and creatively responded to the challenges wrought by this pandemic. 

Sadly, however, we have seen the stresses of this extraordinary time place additional pressure on the complex areas of domestic violence and mental health. I am therefore pleased that this year’s QCF program focuses on mid-tier organisations responding to these particular social issues.

I take this opportunity to congratulate the grant recipients with us today. The organisations you represent assist “at-risk” people in our communities in so many crucial ways. These grants will further strengthen your operations, and enrich the life-changing work you do.

Perhaps most significantly, the QCF makes benevolence a simpler proposition for other munificent Queenslanders – whether this altruism comes from individuals or from the many wonderful corporate sponsors, led, of course by the efforts of The Public Trustee and QIC.

Because the reach of the Foundation is extensive, it relies on the outstanding efforts of those distinguished people serving on its Board of Governors, on committees, and in other advisory roles, to make it function so successfully. 

Thank you to everyone who has supported the Foundation with such exceptional kindness.

The legacy you have built – on the basic humanitarian principle of selflessly giving – is one that will continue to enhance the vitality of our State, long beyond the scope of our own lifetimes.