Reception for the National Council of Women of Queensland’s 120th Anniversary

Member for Waterford, the Honourable Shannon Fentiman MP; Member for Ipswich, Ms Jennifer Howard MP; Senator for Queensland, Senator Larissa Waters; Councillor for Central Ward, and Honorary Member and Bursary Sponsor for the National Council of Women of Queensland, Councillor Vicki Howard; Assistant Commissioner, Northern Region, Queensland Police Service, Assistant Commissioner Virginia Nelson APM; President, National Council of Women of Queensland, Ms Sandy Smith, and Vice President Ms Ronda Nix OAM; esteemed Council members; distinguished guests; 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 with us today.

As Patron of the National Council of Women of Queensland, it is a great pleasure to join you in celebrating 120 years of service to—and support for—women in our state, through empowerment, education, and engagement.

Such an occasion invites us not only to reflect on the activities and initiatives that have made a tangible difference in the lives of so many for well over a century, but also to look ahead—to a future full of both challenge and opportunity for women throughout Queensland.

The NCWQ’s founding in 1905 came during a time of great social change, when women across the country were mobilising to shape a fairer, more inclusive society—advocating for their rights and for broader social reforms. In the years following Australian women’s achievement of federal suffrage in 1902, there was growing momentum toward addressing issues such as peace, gender equality, legal rights, and working conditions—clear signals of a society in transition. The Council’s creation was both a response to, and a driver of, these evolving community needs.

In the years since, Council members have built on the legacy of those pioneering women, strengthening their gains and broadening the support available to women of all backgrounds and circumstances.

You have helped vulnerable women gain greater agency over their lives by supporting them to meet—and overcome—challenges that might otherwise hold them back. Your work in raising awareness and promoting help-seeking pathways for women and girls affected by coercive control is clear evidence of the Council’s continuing relevance and evolution.

Education, health and the environment remain core areas of focus, each encompassing a wide and evolving range of issues. It is heartening to see the continued encouragement of girls into STEM programs by State and National governments, alongside NCWQ’s longstanding advocacy for gender pay equity once women are established in these industries.

Your engagement with contemporary issues—such as the use of artificial intelligence in education and the complex impact of social media on young people’s academic, professional and personal lives—shows your commitment to understanding the modern pressures facing women and girls.

The NCWQ Bursary Program is a standout initiative. From just two bursaries at its inception in 2009 to 35 on offer in 2024, it continues to open doors to tertiary education and economic independence for women across Queensland.

Health remains a cornerstone of your work. Your successful advocacy for paid placements in teaching, nursing, midwifery and social work, as well as your support for funding and initiatives focused on women’s and girls’ health, are vital contributions to the sector.

And your engagement in national conversations on energy transition and environmental sustainability is timely and important, reflecting your longstanding commitment to future-focused advocacy.

As Governor, as a woman, and on behalf of all Queensland women and girls, I offer my thanks and continued support to the National Council of Women of Queensland and congratulate you on 120 years of remarkable service to our state.

Thank you.