Skip to main navigation Skip to main content

27th Governor of Queensland Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM

Text size

  1. Homepage
  2. The Governor of Queensland
  3. Speeches
  4. Investiture Ceremony, Thursday 11 September, 10am
Back to Speeches

Investiture Ceremony, Thursday 11 September, 10am

Representing the Premier of Queensland, Minister for Police and Emergency Services, The Honourable Dan Purdie MP; Commander, 1st (Australian) Division, Australian Army, Major General Ashley Collingburn AM DSM; Representing the Queensland Police Service Acting Commissioner, Acting Deputy Commissioner Christopher Stream APM; Queensland Corrective Services Commissioner Paul Stewart APM; Award recipients, your family and friends; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen; boys and girls.

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 all First Nations people here today.

I am delighted to welcome you all here to Government House to this very special occasion for our Award recipients, their families and colleagues. As Governor of Queensland, it is my great privilege to present Queenslanders with Honours and Awards they have earned under our unique Australian system––now in its 50th year!

This morning, we gather to acknowledge the outstanding and distinguished service and achievements of members the Australian Army, the Public Service in Queensland and the Commonwealth, the Queensland Police Service and Queensland Corrective Services.

Through the reading of the individual citations, we have heard diverse stories of high-level accomplishments. After listening to these stories, it’s hard not to be filled with immense pride of the many talented leaders among us here today, all of whom have strived for high standards of expertise and professionalism in their chosen fields of endeavour.

Whether through exceptional devotion to non-warlike operations, as recognised by the Conspicuous Service Cross (CSC); dedication to strengthening public service, as honoured by the Public Service Medal (PSM); outstanding efforts to advance policing, as acknowledged by the Australian Police Medal (APM); or commitment to the welfare of prisoners and correctional staff, as marked by the Australian Corrections Medal (ACM)—each recipient has gone above and beyond in their service to our state and nation.

Recipients of our Australian Police Service Medal and Conspicuous Service Cross have provided inspirational leadership. Some have done so in times of national and state emergencies, including during natural disasters, search and rescue operations and counter-terrorism operations. Others have significantly contributed to community safety through improved tactical and operational policing, led complex police negotiations and investigations, solved major crimes; or led major improvements to forensic services, road safety, policing policies and ethical standards.

Recipients of our Public Service Medals have been devoted to reforming and improving service design standards; or to providing legal services and support programs to vulnerable Queenslanders including Indigenous Queenslanders, and those in our youth justice and child protection systems or prisons. Certain of you have enhanced the liveability of regional communities through improved infrastructure, and some have been devoted to the health and welfare of Queenslanders through enhanced palliative care services across the state.

Those who received the Australian Corrections Medal were recognised for their leadership in promoting best practice safety and security measures in prisons to enhance the safety and welfare of corrections staff and prisoners alike.

Each recipient’s story may differ, however what they share in common is a tangible commitment to leadership, to high standards of technical expertise and to service delivery. To put it simply, they have made a real difference in their chosen fields of endeavour.

I know that the families and colleagues of recipients gathered here today are immensely proud of all you have achieved, and I take this opportunity to thank them, too, for the support they have shown you throughout your careers.

To our recipients, may these Awards serve not only to recognise your achievements but also be a reminder that your work is having a positive and lasting impact on the lives of Queenslanders.

On behalf of all Queenslanders, I thank you once again and congratulate you on the Awards you have received today. I hope you will wear your medals with pride.