Ms Alexa Leary OAM Investiture Ceremony

Representing the Chair, Queensland Branch, The Order of Australia Association, Mr Darryl Seccombe OAM; recipient, Ms Alexa Leary OAM, your family, friends and supporters, ladies and gentlemen.

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 morning.

I welcome you all most warmly to Government House, as we come together to honour a truly remarkable young Queenslander—Alexa Leary.

The Medal of the Order of Australia I presented to Alexa today, recognises her service to sport as a gold medallist at the Paris Paralympic Games in 2024.

There, she not only won two gold medals and a silver, but also twice smashed the existing women’s 100m freestyle S9 world record.

Alexa’s impromptu dance on the La Défense Arena podium has become an iconic moment of the Games—an expression of pure joy at having accomplished what many had considered impossible.

And I am sure that this same sense of exhilaration was felt deeply by her family—her loving parents, Russell and Belinda, her siblings; Ashtyn, Madison, Max and Jack; her extended family; her committed and understanding coach, Jon Bell, and all the others who have supported her in her journey.

…Because, as everyone here in this room is well aware, Alexa’s triumphant story is one that was so close to being a tragedy.

In July 2021, after Alexa’s devastating training accident, it was not known whether she would even survive such a significant brain injury, and I can only imagine how hard it must have been for her family to see her struggle to regain her abilities, when at one point the doctors weren’t sure whether she would ever walk or talk again.

It seemed that Alexa’s aspirations to pursue a sporting career would be crushed.

But as we all now know––and I suspect her family has always known––Alexa is not one to give up.

She instead used her passionate and competitive spirit to defy the awful odds given to her, putting in a mighty effort to overcome each challenge; helped at every step, by truly exceptional medical teams.

After 111 days, she walked out of hospital unassisted, armed with a renewed determination to do all she could to follow her sporting dreams.

And just two years after her accident, Alexa’s gold and silver wins at the World Para Swimming Championships in Manchester, demonstrated what is possible with a powerful combination of fearlessness and grit.

Not only were Australians captivated by Alexa’s outstanding achievements in the pool in Paris, but we were charmed by her enthusiasm and engaging personality, while simultaneously being deeply inspired by the tenacity and courage that had brought her Paralympic success.

And since then, Alexa has continued to win our admiration and our hearts.

Already this year, she has broken world records at the Sydney Open & UniSport Nationals and the Australian Open Championships in Brisbane^__and just ten days ago, at the Australian Swimming Trials in Adelaide, she once again excelled.

She now has her eye firmly set on the World Para Swimming Championships in Singapore, and the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

Out of the pool, Alexa has earned awards and accolades, including being named Para-athlete of the Year at last November’s Queensland Sport Awards and Rookie of the Year at the Paralympian of the Year Awards in December, and has used her ever-growing media profile to help raise money and awareness for causes close to her heart.

Each of these achievements is extraordinary, culminating with today’s honour—our nation’s highest—which this year celebrates a 50-year-long tradition of ensuring that as a nation, we applaud the contributions our people make to the vibrancy, cohesion and reputation of our country.

Today’s special recognition symbolises the bravery and fight of one inspirational young woman—an athlete who represents her state and country with pride—and I now join with her family and friends, in extending Alexa my sincerest congratulations.

Thank you.