Saint John Ambulance Investiture of the Order of St John

Priory Secretary, the Priory in Australia of the Order of St John, Mr Brendan Maher; St John Queensland, Board Chair, Mr Glen Morrison; President, Council of Members, Mr Noel Gillard OAM; Chief Executive Officer, Mr Peter Warrener ASM; Commissioner, Mr Raymond Thurlow; postulants and award recipients; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen.

I begin by acknowledging the Original Custodians of the lands around Brisbane, the Turrbal and Jagera peoples, and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and to any First Nations people who have joined us here today.

Good morning, and welcome to Government House.

As Governor of Queensland, and representative of His Majesty King Charles the Third in this state, and as Deputy Prior and Dame of Grace of The Order of St John in Queensland, I am honoured to preside over today’s investiture and awards ceremony.

May I firstly congratulate today’s postulants who are being admitted as Members of the Order of St John. You have displayed commitment and dedication to your communities, reflecting the high ideals of the Order.

In the formal ceremony that is to follow, you will become part of an ancient tradition of expert assistance to those in need.

It is remarkable to think of the strength and determination of an Order that has endured for almost a thousand years.

Despite war, displacement, and challenges of all kinds across the centuries, the Order of St John has remained steadfast in its central aim: to serve humanity.

To those who are about to be admitted as Members today, may you feel the strength and history of the Order in your endeavours, and may the joy of helping others always remain with you.

It will also be my privilege this morning to acknowledge those who have served the Order of St John with distinction, culminating in two rare and high honours — Knight of Grace, and Commander — to two outstanding individuals.

I commend you for these immense achievements.

Additionally, I am delighted to be awarding Service Awards and other honours today.

It is particularly pleasing to note the contrast between confreres who have worked tirelessly over many decades, and the awarding of the 2026 Peter Falkland Award as Young Adult Volunteer of the Year Queensland.

Whether your involvement has been over a lifetime, or whether you bring to the Order your youthful energy, you all play an essential role in strengthening our communities and, in turn, underpinning the wellbeing of our state and beyond.

These are distinguished honours of which you and your families should be very proud. You have been identified as worthy bearers of the Order’s enduring legacy. On behalf of the people of Queensland, I thank you most sincerely for your hard work, compassion, and determination to make a difference.

My term as Governor draws to a close in November, and I am conscious that this will be the last year that I will have the honour of bestowing these awards.

I assure you that my interest in the welfare of the people of our magnificent State will continue, and that—alongside many others—I shall remain grateful for the wonderful work carried out, every day, by the Order of St John. 

Congratulations to you all. I look forward to meeting you after the ceremony, and hearing more about your contributions.