Australian Honours and Awards Investiture Ceremony E

Representing the Premier of Queensland and Minister for Veterans, Dr Christian Rowan MP; Representing the Queensland Public Sector Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner Rhiannan Howell; Australian Federal Police Northern Command Assistant Commissioner Justine Gough APM; Representing the Queensland Police Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner Christopher Stream APM; Representing the Queensland Ambulance Service Commissioner, Mr David Hartley ASM; Queensland Corrective Services Commissioner Paul Stewart APM; recipients, your guests; ladies and gentlemen.  

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

I welcome you all to Government House this afternoon, to pay tribute to individuals who exemplify the meaning of outstanding service to others. 

As Governor, and the representative of His Majesty, King Charles III in this state, it is my duty and my delight to preside over these bi-annual investiture ceremonies, which draw attention to people in our community who are making a genuine difference to the lives of others. 

When it comes to the Meritorious Awards we are honouring today—devoting your careers to the common good is what has led you here, but of course, it is your beneficial impact on your fields, your workplaces, colleagues, and on the public, that has made each of you stand out as worthy of this special recognition. 

While the areas in which you are involved vary, your citations reveal commonalities that underpin your commitment to having such a positive influence. 

Qualities such as leadership, compassion and resourcefulness apply to you all, as do the abilities to excel under pressure, adjust to the unexpected, and foster an encouraging environment that promotes collaboration. 

Those of you receiving Public Service Medals have applied your immense expertise and competence to furthering the processes, industries and initiatives that are fundamental to enhancing our society.  

In delivering transformational reforms in public health, education, technology, roads, infrastructure, surveying, local government, and justice outcomes for First Nations people, you are building a stronger, and more connected framework of support that is better able to respond to large-scale challenges.  

Those of you receiving an Australian Police Medal have upheld your oath to serve with “honour, diligence and integrity”. You have acted calmly in extremely hazardous situations, and tackled complex and confronting issues with skill and empathy—even when your own lives are placed at risk. 

Your work has taken you in diverse directions—such as counter terrorism, forensics, serious crime, and frontline policing in the heart of communities. Yet, these differences are crucial to invigorating our Federal and Queensland police forces—bringing proactive ideas and strategies that will lead to better outcomes, and raise community safety and confidence.  

The Ambulance Service Medal also reflects distinguished service in high-pressure, complicated environments.  

Each of today’s awardees have demonstrated exceptional medical prowess, and the ability to make crucial life-saving decisions with a special blend of professionalism and tenderness.  

Whether you are an on-road paramedic, are attending a significant disaster or event, or overseeing operations in a managerial role, your efforts have not only earned the deepest respect of your colleagues, but the admiration of the patients and families whose lives you have touched. 

And, for today’s Australian Corrections Medal recipients—whose work also takes place in highly stressful situations—your focus on progressing the system that enacts and oversees custodial sentences, reflects an unwavering dedication to upholding the rights and needs of offenders, while ensuring members of the public feel secure. 

Your knowledge, experience and perception have led to reforms in our state’s approach to prisoner rehabilitation and reintegration, and have helped initiate innovative programs that are more effective at reducing recidivism—creating a fairer system, and minimising risk both within our prisons and out in the community.  

Every awardee with us today is building understanding and trust into our public services, conveyed by a willingness to mentor and coach others, and by strengthening the important relationships that link government to other key stakeholders, and to the general public.  

On behalf of all Queenslanders, I commend each of you, for the many ways in which you have served the people of our state and nation, and I hope you wear your medals with pride. 

Please enjoy the hospitality of Government House and this chance to celebrate your achievements.