President’s Dinner Dance at The Brisbane Club 2026

The Brisbane Club President, Mr Chris McCluskey and General Manager, Mr Garry Friend; Club Members and your guests; ladies and gentlemen.

I acknowledge 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 this evening.

Good evening and thank you for that warm welcome. As Patron and an honorary member of The Brisbane Club, I am delighted I can join you tonight for the President’s Dinner Dance.  

I have such fond memories of attending your famous annual ‘Duck and Pinot’ evenings with my husband Graeme, who regrettably couldn’t join me this evening due to a pre-existing engagement.  

There is something rather special about institutions like The Brisbane Club… those that are not defined simply by their history, nor even by their longevity; but by the people who choose, over time, to sustain them.  

And in many ways, that reflects something I have come to appreciate deeply during my time as Governor.

Over the course of my term, I have had the privilege of meeting Queenslanders from all walks of life across every corner of our vast state—people who contribute quietly and consistently to the organisations and communities they value.  

People, who take responsibility for something, look after it well, and leave it better than they found it.

And that is exactly what I see reflected in The Brisbane Club.

Clubs like this don’t endure on momentum alone. They endure because of steady, thoughtful leadership—people who understand what is worth holding onto, and where quiet change is needed.

President McCluskey, your leadership has clearly been part of that, and this evening we honour your contribution, along with that of Presidents past.

I also want to acknowledge the Committee and the management team.

So much of what you do sits in the background—but it matters enormously.  

And then, of course, there are the members themselves. Every organisation like this depends on people who stay engaged, who contribute where they can.  

Over time, all of those contributions build something quite distinctive – and it’s what creates the special feeling in the room tonight.

A feeling of connection and belonging that has been built over decades of care, member introductions, invitations to sit around the table and keep this community strong.

It’s moments like this that find their place among my favourite as Governor. Not moments of stifled formality, but of seeing people come together, sustaining traditions, and investing in something that matters to them.

And this evening is a very good example of it.

So, as Patron, I simply want to say thank you—to all of you who contribute to The Brisbane Club. Because in the end, places like this endure for a very simple reason: people care enough to keep them going.

And that is something well worth recognising—and celebrating!

Thank you for the opportunity to be with you this evening, and both Graeme and I look forward to joining you again soon.