50th Anniversary of Childhood Cancer Support Reception

Member for Southport, Mr Rob Molhoek MP; Member for Mackay, Mr Nigel Dalton MP; Member for Redcliffe, Ms Kerri-Anne Dooley MP; Childhood Cancer Support President, Mr Stuart Love and Members of the Board; General Manager, Ms Helen Crew; Chancellor, Queensland University of Technology, and Closeness Matters Campaign1 Patron, Ms Ann Sherry AO; distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen. 

I begin by acknowledging the Original Custodians of the lands around Brisbane, the Turrbal and Jagera peoples, and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and to any First Nations people here today. 

Graeme and I welcome you to Government House this afternoon, to celebrate 50 incredible years of Childhood Cancer Support in Queensland. 

As Patron, I am particularly pleased to see so many families with us today, because you represent a legacy of care that began in 1975, when a group of determined parents and medical staff at the Royal Brisbane Children’s Hospital met to address the unique challenges brought by distance. 

Beyond the heartache and fear caused by a child’s cancer diagnosis, treatment far from home causes upheaval for all family members.  

It is this understanding of the fundamental need for loved ones to stay together that led to the first house being opened in Herston in 19793, and which continues to drive the organisation today. 

With an ever-growing range of no-cost home-away-from-home accommodation, patient transport services, family-focussed activities, and holistic expertise and care, the last five decades have seen this welcome circle of support become even stronger. 

And, of course, to those many families from regional and remote parts of our state and beyond, who have turned to Childhood Cancer Support for help, the practical and emotional assistance on offer is truly life-changing. 

Aside from reducing the financial and logistical burdens caused by relocation during the weeks and months of treatment, Childhood Cancer Support also helps families build connection and community.  

Initiatives such as weekly Coffee, Cake and Chat get-togethers, Family Christmas Pool Parties, Camp Crystal and Talk Like a Pirate Day — to name a few — allow families to share experiences and bring some joy, fun and light-heartedness when it is most needed. 

In the words of past paediatric oncology families, Childhood Cancer Support provides “a little safety bubble”; “a safe place to decompress after long hospital stays”; and, “a community that gave us strength when we felt like we had none left”.  

I know some families here today would agree with these sentiments, and it is this profound personal gratitude for the organisation’s meaningful impact that has also helped build an enthusiastic army of volunteers and fundraisers, who are determined to ensure Childhood Cancer Support can continue to deliver and expand its services.  

As Governor, and a medical professional, the health and wellbeing of Queenslanders is one of my key passions—and now, as I look towards the end of my term, I am inspired and heartened by the way this charity remains unwaveringly connected to its foundational objectives and ethos; ensuring families from outside Brisbane can give each other the powerful medicine of love and comfort that is only possible if they stay together. 

As we celebrate this tremendous milestone in the history of Childhood Cancer Support and reflect on the many thousands of courageous families it has helped over these 50 years, I know all of you here today—and in homes across our state—would like to pay tribute to those who have contributed to making their journeys easier. 

On behalf of all Queenslanders, I extend my heartfelt thanks to past and present members of the Management and Sub-Committees, staff, family and corporate ambassadors, partners, sponsors and collaborators, volunteers, fundraisers and supporters.  

You have helped others through one of the most distressing times in their lives, and your work is deeply appreciated. 

I wish you every success as you head into your next 50 years. 

Thank you.