Governor’s Dinner to mark the 140th anniversary of The North Queensland Club

Senator for Queensland, Senator Susan McDonald; North Queensland Club, President, Ms Elizabeth Buckley; Board Chair, Ms Glenys Schuntner; Club Manager Ms Kerry Hagen; Club members, supporters and staff; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen.

I, too, begin by acknowledging the Original Custodians of the lands on which we gather, and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and to any First Nations people here tonight.

As Queensland Governor and Patron of The North Queensland Club it is a sincere pleasure to be here this evening to celebrate your 140^th anniversary.

Tonight represents the second occasion I have joined you for a special dinner, although this is the first time I have been in your superb new premises here on Flinders Street.

I thank President Liz Buckley for her warm welcome and for continuing the tradition of inviting Governors to this annual dinner.

Of course, Townsville is abuzz at the moment with a range of activities to commemorate the 80^th anniversary of Victory in the Pacific.  

Graeme and I are attending a number of VP80 events, and last night I had the honour of addressing the VP80 Dinner Under The Stars to mark the end of the Second World War in 1945, exactly 80 years ago to that very day.

Tonight’s dinner provides a welcome break for us to relax with you, in amongst what has been a full schedule of engagements over the past couple of days.

My predecessor as Governor, the Honourable Paul de Jersey, once quipped that he had visited Townsville so often during his Vice-Regal term that he’d have to change the address on his driver’s licence from that of Brisbane to Townsville.  

I must say, there are days when Graeme and I feel the same way! We are also very fond of Townsville, its vibrancy and its people.

Last month I was here to open the North Queensland Kidney Transplant Service at the Townsville University Hospital, which is a vitally important new service for this region.

In April, I presided over Investiture Ceremonies in the city to present Australian Awards and Honours to North Queenslanders who’ve made outstanding contributions to their communities.

That month we also attended the opening of the remarkable Wedgewood exhibition at the Perc Tucker Gallery, and we were at the Townville Picnic Bay Surf Lifesaving Club to host a community wellbeing walk, something I am passionate about as the Patron of Health and Wellbeing Queensland.

And while I spent Australia Day this year at the Jezzine Barracks I was unable to witness any of the impressive Talisman Sabre military training exercises firsthand due to prior commitments with Indigenous communities in the Gulf.

However, I was able to host a formal Reception in Brisbane to acknowledge and thank the Australian and international defence force leaders taking part in Talisman Sabre, a crucial component of the nation’s military relationship and capacity building efforts in which our State plays a key role as host.

In between all of these events we’ve had meetings with a wide range of representatives from across all sectors of Townsville’s community. Attending these events and meetings has allowed us to get up close and personal with a wide range of community leaders, like yourselves, and given us a good understanding of local issues, challenges and opportunities.

As we know, networking and making connections face-to-face is important. And since 1885 The North Queensland Club has been a haven for its town and country members and others who seek the company of like-minded professionals, to discuss the important issues of the day, make connections and network.

In doing so, over the past 140 years the club has become an institution and is very much regarded as a cherished part of the social and business fabric of Townsville.

As Patron, I pay tribute to Club President Elizabeth Buckley, Club Manager Kerry Hagen, your committee members and club members. I thank all of you for your ongoing dedication which has contributed to the prosperity of The North Queensland Club, ensuring it remains a central part of community and business life in Townsville.

Thank you again for your warm welcome and generous hospitality tonight. Graeme and I wish the club a very happy 140^th anniversary, and continued success with your future endeavours.