Queensland Club’s Governor’s Dinner

Queensland Club, President, Mr Tim Rylance and General Manager Mr Tobias Daniels; the many distinguished guests here this evening; 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.

Thank you for the very warm welcome. At the outset, I thank the Queensland Club for continuing the tradition of hosting these special Governor’s Dinners, and I am delighted once again to have this opportunity to join you.

Earlier this month, in celebrating the 167th anniversary of Queensland Day, I was reminded that four days before our first Governor, Sir George Bowen, proclaimed Queensland as a separate state from New South Wales, a decision was made to form the Queensland Club.

Of course, that means the Club is technically older than the State itself, and its enduring place in Queensland’s civic life is indeed a tribute to the dedication of its members—people like you—who have supported it over many decades.

For nearly five years now, I have had the privilege of serving as Governor of this great State, and during this time it has been my tremendous honour to regularly travel the length and breadth of the State—alongside Graeme—to meet Queenslanders living and working in their local communities; to listen to their stories and aspirations; and to share in their triumphs and challenges. 

While these community engagements are mostly uplifting, on occasions some stories are confronting—particularly from those communities impacted by natural disasters and people struggling with cost-of-living pressures.

However, it has also been a humbling experience to really connect with so many amazing Queenslanders—from all walks of life and all fields of endeavour—and many of these memories will be ones that Graeme and I will treasure, long after our time at Fernberg.

Since becoming the State’s 27th Governor in November 2021, I have come to know Queensland and Queenslanders on a much deeper level. Graeme and I have met with thousands of remarkable individuals and organisations who serve our communities with dedication and distinction.

On special occasions, in my Vice-Regal role, I have the honour of investing some of these outstanding individuals with Australian Honours and Awards as part of our Australia Day and King’s Birthday Honours lists. 

As Governor, I have been privileged to invest people like Robert Thompson OAM, better known as ‘Uncle Bobby’ in his community of Mornington Island where he has spent a lifetime serving in a variety of roles; or others like Vernon Clark OAM, a self-taught engineer from Kingaroy who built manufacturing machinery to boost the productivity  of Australia’s peanut industry; or Patricia Barry OAM and Linda Barry OAM who as longtime Royal Life Saving Society volunteers at Caloundra for some 40 years collectively have performed rescues, trained young nippers, treated beachgoers’ injuries and even saved lives.

Their collective service to our communities—and that of thousands of others like them—enriches our state in so many ways and should make us all feel proud to call Queensland home. Their efforts exemplify the spirit of service that defines our state’s volunteers. And this—being the International Year of Volunteering—reminds us of how important volunteering is in supporting Queensland’s ongoing prosperity, social cohesion and liveability.

And, on the topic of devotion to duty, this year marks the 125th anniversary of both the Australian Army and Royal Australian Navy, and the 105th anniversary of the Royal Australian Air Force. 

Graeme and I have a deep respect for Australian Defence Force personnel, veterans, reservists and their families, and we honour their remarkable service and sacrifice to our nation.

Last August we were honoured to attend the commemorative events in Townsville marking the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Pacific; and in November, Government House hosted Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence during their official visit to Brisbane for the centenary celebrations of the Royal Australian Corps of Signals, of which she is Colonel-in-Chief. It was a memorable occasion for our State, the Defence community and for us, also.

Throughout the past 12 months I have engaged in very busy program of activities related to my constitutional, ceremonial and community responsibilities. 

This includes presiding over Executive Council meetings, granting Assent to Bills presented by the Legislative Assembly, and officiating at a range of important events such as Anzac Day commemorations and Investiture ceremonies.  

I have strengthened connections for Queensland with many visiting dignitaries including Ambassadors, High Commissioners and Consuls; and I met with European Union leaders who were visiting our State to explore critical and strategic mineral partnerships.

As the proud Patron of more than 170 organisations, I’ve also helped recognise many significant anniversaries and milestones. Did you know that we are about to celebrate the sesquicentennial anniversary of the EKKA? 

That’s 150 years of the country meeting with city; 150 years of cattle and cake judging, strawberry sundaes and dagwood dogs, and full days of fun for the whole family!

This year also marks 140 years of the Lady Musgrave Trust, 100 years of the La Boite Theatre, and 80 years of transformative scientific research at the QIMR Berghofer. 

And we are celebrating 75 years of the Endeavour Foundation, 65 years of Guide Dogs Queensland, 50 years of both the Queensland State Emergency Service and the Leukaemia Foundation, and 40 years of both Reading Radio and the Queensland Performing Arts Centre. 

There’s much for us to be proud of as Queenslanders—and we can look ahead with confidence to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games which will mark yet another significant milestone for our city and State.

I am deeply honoured to have had this opportunity to serve the people of Queensland, and to champion and represent their interests. 

Before I close, I wish to pay tribute to the Queensland Club and its members. Over the past 167 years, the Queensland Club has been a central part of the fabric of this State, with its members contributing much to its success. 

Thank you for the important roles you have played – across many fields of endeavour – in shaping and advancing Queensland’s interests. Your ongoing leadership and contributions will help ensure Queensland continues to thrive. 

Thank you again for hosting Graeme and me tonight. We trust you will have a most enjoyable evening.