Cairns 150 Year Ball

Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, Mr James Marape; Representing the Premier of Queensland and Minister for Veterans, Member for Mulgrave, Mr Terry James MP; Member for Cairns, Mr Michael Healy MP; Senators for Queensland, Senator the Honourable Nita Green and Senator Susan McDonald; Cairns Regional Council, Mayor Councillor Amy Eden and Councillors; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen.

I also begin by acknowledging the Original Custodians of the lands on which we are gathered, pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and to any First Nations people here tonight, and I thank Mr Hendrick Fourmile for his Welcome to Country.

Graeme and I are delighted to be back in Cairns, and with all of you, for this evening’s special 150-year celebrations.

I am particularly pleased that this historic milestone coincides with the 30^th anniversary of the Mayor’s Christmas Charity, which is the beneficiary of tonight’s fund-raising activities, and I congratulate Mayor Eden and everyone involved, for ensuring that those in need, reliably receive a helping hand during each festive season.

As we gather on this beautiful Esplanade, between the city and the sea, it is hard to imagine a small frontier settlement, with an uncertain future. Yet from humble beginnings, the settlement grew into a municipality, a town, and then a city — shaped by the people who came here from near and far, and who brought with them their ambitions, skills, customs and determination.

Cairns has always been a place that thrives on diversity. The early gold miners and port workers demonstrated tenacity and enterprise.

The Chinese migrants helped advance agriculture and developed business opportunities. The South Sea Islanders contributed to the sugar industry, often under difficult conditions. The Europeans brought their skills in construction, surveying and engineering.

And millennia before all of these people came, the Traditional Owners of this region had already developed a profound understanding of this country’s land and waters, with this deep cultural knowledge continuing to enrich and inform us.

Each of these communities has helped create the Cairns we cherish today.

Along with the triumphs, every generation has had to face challenges that have required courage, adaptability and a powerful belief in the future.

Yet there has always been a tremendous sense of togetherness here — a generous willingness to help others in times of need — and it is this spirit of fellowship, generated by the beneficial influences of multiculturalism, that have helped create the vibrant character of this region and generate its strength.

Over 150 years, Cairns has transformed from a swampy outpost of 400 residents, into a modern city of 180,000, and attracts visitors from all over the world.

The history of Cairns is not defined by events in a timeline, but by the people who have called it home, who have worked to build its success, and who have always believed in its future.

As we enjoy this evening’s food, entertainment and fireworks in such tropical splendour, I encourage you to pay tribute to those who came before, the diverse communities who have contributed to its development and evolution, and those who will carry the story of Cairns into its next 150 years.

I thank the members of the Advisory Committee, the Cairns Regional Council, valued partners and all supporters who have helped organise this spectacular celebration.

Please enjoy this chance to celebrate, as, on behalf of all Queenslanders, I wish Cairns and its people a very happy 150^th!