RNA and Industrial Association of Queensland's High Tea Fundraiser 2023

25^th Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia and 24^th Governor of Queensland, the Honourable Dame Quentin Bryce AD CVO; 22^nd Governor of Queensland, the Honourable Leneen Forde AC, Shadow Minister for Water and the Construction of Dams, Shadow Minister for Regional Development and Manufacturing, Mrs Deb Frecklington MP; Senator for Queensland, Liberal National Party of Queensland, Senator Susan McDonald; Chair of the RNA Charity High Tea Committee, Mrs Jane Thomas; Mrs Gina Fairfax AC; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen.

I, too, begin by acknowledging the Traditional Owners 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 today.

It is always a thrill when the Ekka arrives in town, and as Governor of Queensland and Patron of the RNA I am not immune to the buzz of the build-up, anticipating all the sights, tastes and experiences this week offers, and all the wonderful Queenslanders I will meet.

Queenslanders from every corner of the State showcasing the best of our agricultural sector, and hopefully also enjoying the fruits of their labour by relaxing and having a bit of fun while they’re here.

Those who live in the city are definitely here to have fun, and hopefully gaining a better appreciation of how their regional counterparts live and how much they contribute to our economy and society.

No other event unites Queenslanders quite like the Ekka.

With that in mind, I am very pleased to be joining you all for this afternoon’s High Tea in order to raise funds for a very special cause: BushEd – Mothers in Arms.

This initiative is aimed at creating a positive start for very young Queenslanders who reside in the isolated areas of our state.

Families with children aged up to five years are the focus of this fledgling program, which offers support and guidance to underpin the early years education that we all know to be so important for cognitive growth and development.

Given the challenges that confront rural families, it is imperative that we aim for an equal education for all Queenslanders.

The BushEd – Mothers in Arms program will go a long way to providing that equity through a number of mechanisms.

The two outstanding elements of this program are the supply of age-related resource kits, to build capacity and confidence in the type of learning offered to pre-school aged children, and the teaming up of new mums with an experienced ‘buddy’ who can support them when and where required.

The strength of the ties that bind city and country is always on display at events such as this one.

It’s so uplifting to witness the numbers in the room, women helping other women, united in a common purpose.

It is always an honour for me to be a part of such an occasion, and I am sure that all of you feel the same way.

I am grateful to the RNA for staging this event and allowing us to show, in a very practical manner, how much we care for country Queensland.  

And thank you all for your attendance this afternoon.

I look forward to hearing from our guest speakers and seeing the wonderful fashions on show today. Thank you.