Normanton Shire Hall Community Lunch

Mayor, Carpentaria Shire Council, Councillor Jack Bawden; Councillors; Community leaders; ladies and gentlemen.

I first wish to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands and waters that form the Carpentaria Shire, the Gkuthaarn, Kukatj and Kurtijar  peoples, and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and to all First Nations people here today.

Good afternoon, everyone — thank you for such a warm welcome. It is such a pleasure to be here in Normanton, and to be making my first official visit to Carpentaria Shire, with my husband Graeme, as we begin this week’s journey across the Gulf. As Governor, I made a firm commitment to visit Queenslanders wherever they live — across every Local Government Area and in communities right across the State. This visit is part of honouring that pledge.

We are travelling through six communities over five days — including Doomadgee, Mornington Island, Kowanyama, Pormpuraaw and Aurukun — listening, learning and acknowledging the strengths, challenges and aspirations of each place and its people.

Normanton plays such an important role in the life of our State. It is a centre of regional administration, culture and history — and a community deeply committed to innovation and resilience.

It was a particular pleasure yesterday to visit the Normanton Foodworks — not just as a place of business, but as an example of how community-owned, place-based partnerships can support better health, stronger local economies and food security in remote areas. I commend the work being done there, and the vision of those behind it.

This morning, we visited your new hospital, a 24-hour, 18-bed facility that I know will be life-changing –– literally in some cases –– for so many people in Normanton and surrounding communities.

And we spent time with the children and staff at Normanton State School. Promoting literacy and engagement with school and community life has been an area of keen focus for me as I’ve travelled around the state to communities much like yours.

The people who live and work in rural and remote Queensland — especially in First Nations communities — play a vital role in the life and identity of our state. This visit is about recognising your contributions, and about promoting reconciliation, respect and partnership.

As Governor, I have the great privilege and responsibility to unify, uplift and support Queenslanders, and to promote the values that bind us together and help our state thrive.

And as Queensland prepares to take centre stage in 2032 with the Olympic Games, my role is also to champion our communities, our industries and our future potential––in all parts of the state. Because we all have a role to play.

Thank you again for your warm welcome. I look forward to spending time with you all this afternoon.