Dinner in Support of Queensland Produce and Producers

Director-General, Department of Primary Industries, Mr Graeme Bolton and Mrs Angie Bolton; valued Government House produce suppliers, your partners and guests.

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

Graeme and I are delighted to welcome you to Government House for an evening of conversation and culinary delights, featuring a meal that showcases just some of the amazing freshness and versatility of Queensland produce. We are fortunate to be joined by our Head Chef, Mr Paul Newsham, who is not only highly talented and imaginative in the Fernberg kitchen but is also a keen advocate for sourcing his ingredients from wholesalers within our state.

At Government House we take immense pride in ensuring that every formal Dinner, Reception, Afternoon or Morning Tea we hold here for our many visitors, is a celebration of the variety and quality of our state’s produce.

Queensland is so fortunate to have such vibrant, and committed agricultural and fisheries sectors, which are world-renowned for their clean, safe and ethical practices.

At the heart of each of our primary industries is a deep sense of innovation and malleability—an enterprising spirit with a respect for traditions––but motivated by a determination to ensure that the farming lands of the future will continue to yield food for generations to come.

You are each proof that such inventiveness is necessary to push each sector forward; particularly when the many local and global challenges you face can be so unpredictable.

Initiatives such as cutting-edge technology and new management practices, diversification, market development, and greater collaboration help expand the industry and make it even more resilient and sustainable.

For instance, the venison we will be enjoying in our main course, comes from a local supplier—a butcher and chef—who identified the opportunity to help farmers struggling with the problem of invasive deer, by undertaking his own contract culling and delivering fresh ready-to-cook meat. Paul believes it’s the best he’s ever had—and that’s a big tick, given he has worked in Michelin-starred restaurants!

Each of your enterprises reflect a similar focus on applying expertise and passion to your work, and although you bring different experiences to your roles, you are connected by a desire to deliver the absolute best to your customers.

These efforts not only contribute to the economic fortunes of our whole state, but to the vibrancy and cohesion of your local communities—which I know is a sentiment shared by Mr Bolton.

So, tonight’s dinner is our way of thanking you for helping to ensure that people in Queensland, within these walls and indeed far beyond, are supplied with an outstanding array of fresh food, which not only promotes better health, but is versatile and delicious.

Now I’d like to invite Paul to describe, in more detail, the meal we will be enjoying tonight and what has inspired him to create it. Please enjoy.