Morning Tea in Support of The Prince Charles Hospital Foundation’s “The Jacaranda Circle” & 40 Year Anniversary

Senator for Queensland and Prince Charles Hospital Foundation Board Ambassador, Senator Corinne Mulholland; The Prince Charles Hospital Foundation Board Chair, Mr Christopher Morton; CEO,  Mr Steve Francia and Directors of the Board; Board Ambassadors, Community Ambassadors, Foundation staff and supporters; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen. 

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 here today. 

I am delighted to welcome you all to Government House this morning to host this inaugural event for The Prince Charles Foundation’s important initiative— “The Jacaranda Circle” — as part of its 40th anniversary celebrations. 

The Jacaranda is a powerful symbol—representing hope, strength and vitality. In the work you are doing now, and by planning ahead to support breakthroughs in medicine, science and technology, you are planting a seed that will grow into a life-saving legacy.  

The remarkable four-decade milestone we honour today, reflects the Foundation’s close and beneficial connection, as charity partner, to The Prince Charles and Caboolture Hospitals—two of Queensland’s busiest public health facilities, which together care for around seven-hundred-thousand people each year.

Since its inception, the Foundation has helped fund around 78 million dollars of life-changing research, cutting-edge equipment, and progressive care programs.  

Its work has propelled our understanding and treatment of heart and lung disease, mental illness and ageing. And it has promoted the development of close partnerships with other world-leading clinical and allied health professionals, resulting in truly transformative outcomes. 

Foundation volunteers have provided their time and compassionate support to patients, families and frontline staff—and incredibly this amounted to over 40,000 hours of service last year alone. 

And the Foundation’s efforts have contributed to the growth and development of The Prince Charles Hospital from an institution that initially concentrated on treating tuberculosis to one of our nation’s leading cardiothoracic hospitals, recognised internationally. 

With a bold eye on the future, the Foundation’s vision “that no-one should die waiting for a heart or lung transplant” will be galvanised by a new “blue-sky” research program that will bring together some of our foremost experts to explore ground-breaking, long-term solutions to the issues caused by reliance on donor organs.  

Yet, none of the Foundation’s incredible efforts over these past 40 years would be possible, without the support of its loyal and devoted donors. This morning we acknowledge the benevolence of a very special group of people—the members of the new “The Jacaranda Circle” — and pay tribute to your profound generosity and extraordinary foresight.  

I know many supporters here and elsewhere have been motivated by deeply personal experiences, and I thank you, on behalf of all Queenslanders. 

I also acknowledge the contributions of the new Community and Board Ambassadors, who from this year will provide a valuable bridge between both hospitals and the communities they serve.  

And I thank The Prince Charles Foundation’s Board, staff, volunteers and other supporters, who have contributed to these 40 years of success. 

Congratulations on your outstanding achievements.