Community Bushland Walk September 2026

Shadow Minister for Health and Ambulance Services and Shadow Minister for Mental Health, the Honourable Mark Bailey MP; Queensland Chief Health Officer, Dr Marianne Gale; Health and Wellbeing Queensland Chair, Mr Steve Ryan; CEO, Institute of Urban Indigenous Health, Mr Wayne Ah Boo; CEO, Hepatitis Queensland, Dr Anna Hawkes; fellow walkers.

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 who have joined us here today.

Good morning, everyone. Graeme and I are delighted to welcome you to Government House, and to the beautiful grounds that comprise the Fernberg Estate.

On the eve of the AFL Grand Final, it’s wonderful to see such a strong show of community spirit in the array of team colours worn here this morning — but especially the Queensland colours!

These community walks have always been a highlight of my role as 27th Governor of our magnificent state. My five-year term comes to an end in November, and it is with a tinge of sadness that I note that this is the last bushland walk I will lead here at Government House.

When I was sworn in as Governor, I pledged that I would make the health and wellbeing of Queenslanders a key focus. I’m proud to say that I kept that pledge, visiting every public hospital, and many health services, across our vast state — 150 locations in all.

It was a privilege to meet so many frontline healthcare workers, patients and supporters, to listen to their stories, to broaden my own understanding of the challenges of ensuring a healthy Queensland.

It is difficult to imagine a single element of our lives that is not enhanced by the joy and freedom that a fitter, healthier lifestyle can bring.

As former medical practitioners, Graeme and I have both seen, firsthand, how profoundly important prevention is in ensuring we maintain optimum health.

Today, we are joined by representatives of Health and Wellbeing Queensland, the state’s dedicated prevention agency, which helps Queenslanders to access information, and provides practical assistance on eating well, moving more, and building healthier habits.

 After almost four decades working in health care, my own involvement in the establishment of Health and Wellbeing Queensland, of which I am proud Patron, has been one of the most rewarding achievements of my career. To date, more than 655,000 Queenslanders have been supported — in schools, hospitals and health services — helping to build healthier, more active communities.

Here at Government House, I think it is fair to say there has been a lot of walking! At my Swearing-in five years ago, I pledged to ensure that Government House was a place for all Queenslanders, an inclusive and welcoming location. I’m delighted to say that has been the case.

We have welcomed thousands of visitors from near and far, with tours and events, picnics, yoga on the lawn and, of course, many walks like this event today.

Some of the paths we’ll take this morning are almost a century old, first established by my vice-regal predecessor, Governor Goodwin, in the 1920s.

During my term, the bushland, which now occupies over 16 hectares, has been revitalised; the walks have been restored; a new wetland area has been developed; and there have been mass plantings of native species on the Estate.

I hope you will enjoy seeing the progress, and I particularly hope that the young people who have joined us here today will, in years to come, bring their own children to Fernberg — to enjoy the natural surroundings, the history of this place, the sheer delight in keeping active.

And, naturally, to continue to celebrate our wonderful — hopefully triumphant — footy players!

Thank you for coming today, and I look forward to walking with you.