Reception in support of Cystic Fibrosis Queensland’s 65th Anniversary

Representing the Lord Mayor of Brisbane, Councillor Penny Wolff; Member for Brisbane, Ms Madonna Jarrett MP; Cystic Fibrosis Queensland, Acting President, Ms Connie Arundle, Board Directors, and Chief Executive Officer, Ms Petrina Fraccaro; staff and supporters; 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 this afternoon.

Graeme and I warmly welcome you all to Government House for this very special reception in honour of Cystic Fibrosis Queensland. What an incredible journey your organisation has undertaken over the past six and a half decades!

The dreams and aspirations of that small group of concerned parents who gathered in a church hall in Annerley in July 1960, have certainly been realised. Yet an organisation such as yours sees no end point—only the ongoing commitment to supporting those living with this complex, life-long condition.

‘65 Roses’—a poignant phrase coined by a child too young to pronounce ‘cystic fibrosis’—offers a romantic contrast to the reality of the disease, which leaves those affected not only struggling to breathe but facing a daily battle that demands extraordinary strength and courage.

Diabetes, arthritis, cancer, liver disease, sinusitis, fertility challenges and mental health issues are among the secondary health conditions associated with the condition.

And the statistics are simply staggering: about one in 25 Australians – or one million people – carry the cystic fibrosis gene, with most unaware they are carriers. This insidious condition strikes down far too many of us, and while treatments have advanced—thanks in no small way to the efforts of organisations such as yours—a cure remains elusive.

One enduring source of hope has been the rise of Cystic Fibrosis Queensland as the leading community-based charity championing those living with the condition. It has brought immense comfort and practical support to individuals and families, with your continued advocacy making a profound difference in their lives.

Thanks to your dedication, the once-distant dream of longer, healthier, and more fulfilling lives is steadily becoming a reality. Where life expectancy was once less than 10 years, today the goal is to extend it to 61 years by 2026—remarkable evidence of the progress made over the past 65 years.

We know that such progress is only possible thanks to the dedication of countless individuals who have contributed their knowledge, skills, resources, time, and energy to improving the lives of Australians living with cystic fibrosis. The funding of vital research and the delivery of life-changing programs underpin the extraordinary work of Cystic Fibrosis Queensland—and none of it would be possible without the generosity of grantors, sponsors, and supporters, with 90% of your income relying on fundraising.

Fundraising enables the delivery of vital support services to the cystic fibrosis community—including psychosocial and education programs, scholarships, mental health first aid training, counselling, and accommodation assistance.

Employment initiatives, strategic partnerships, award programs, and the provision of essential equipment all contribute to improving quality of life and creating a brighter, more hopeful future for the 3,500 or so Australians living with cystic fibrosis.

It is our shared hope that the advancements in treatments and therapies unfold as they have over the past decades, and that the next 65 years are as successful as the last.

Congratulations, Cystic Fibrosis Queensland, on this remarkable milestone. May the years ahead bring continued progress, hope, and impact.