QATSIF New Recipients and Student Leaders’ Celebration

Assistant Minister for Treasury, Trade and Investment, Ms Jennifer Howard MP; Member for Surfers Paradise, Mr John-Paul Langbroek MP; University of Southern Queensland Vice-Chancellor Professor Geraldine Mackenzie; Chair, Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Foundation (QATSIF), Professor Keitha Dunstan; Co-Patron, Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Foundation, Professor Cindy Shannon AM; QATSIF staff; Distinguished guests; Proud parents and carers; Ladies and gentlemen.

Thank you for that wonderful Welcome to Country and Elders’ ceremony.

I, too, would like to begin by acknowledging the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we gather and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging and the many proud First Nations people here today.

It is indeed a privilege to be joining you for such a significant occasion, and one that I am sure will stay with you all for many years to come, as it will with me.

Today, we welcome some of the new QATSIF Year 11 scholarship students, as well as QATSIF students who have been elected to leadership positions within their schools.

Firstly, congratulations to you all! It is indeed an honour to be chosen as a leader — and proof if any were needed that, when paired with hard work and a positive attitude, big dreams can indeed pay off.

Perhaps more importantly, it is also a wonderful opportunity for you to make a positive difference and help others develop their potential, too.

As it happens, I know a little bit about the subject of leadership. I have been lucky enough to be chosen for several leadership roles, including in my current job as Governor of Queensland, and before that as the State’s Chief Health Officer.

My present role is as rewarding as it is challenging.

It carries with it the very important constitutional and legal responsibility of ensuring that Queensland enjoys stable government.

I also attend special occasions of state and national significance, such as the opening of Parliament, military parades, awards ceremonies and remembrance days.

A wonderful aspect of my role involves presenting exceptional Queenslanders with Australian Honours and Awards for their many and varied contributions to our State, often in the form of selfless or brave acts that represent the best in us all.

And I especially like to meet young people such as yourselves, the ‘exceptional Queenslanders of tomorrow’ perhaps, and to recognise how far you’ve come, and offer my support for your future endeavours.

Because no matter how many people we lead, or how far we go in our careers, or how high we rise in the ranks of our chosen industry, it’s important as leaders to recognise that we are all part of something bigger, and that we each have a role to play.

If you look around, you will also see that an important part of leadership is surrounding yourself with friends, teachers, parents, carers and mentors who support and encourage you.

Thank you so much for welcoming me so warmly today.

Keep up the hard work, help others and appreciate those who help you along the way, and don’t forget to ‘Dream Big’.