Spinal Life Australia’s Sporting Wheelies Para Sports Clubhouse

Chief Executive Officer, Spinal Life Australia, Mr Mark Townend AM; General Manager, Sporting Wheelies, Ms Jacqueline Kelly; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen. 

I also acknowledge 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 here today. 

I am absolutely delighted to be with you this morning during Queensland’s Disability Action Week, and to have this chance to visit this incredible, first of its kind, Para Sports Clubhouse. I thank Mr Townend for his kind invitation for me to be here.  

This wonderful facility brings together the expertise and passion of Spinal Life Australia—of which I am the proud Patron—and Sporting Wheelies, with its strong credentials in our state for furthering disability sport. Together, these two remarkable organisations are ensuring that people with disabilities in our communities are encouraged to participate in various forms of sport and recreation, either professionally or socially. 

Of course, this is music to my ears, because as Governor, I am deeply committed to enhancing the health and wellbeing of all Queenslanders—and accessibility is pivotal to that objective.  

Also crucial is having a wholistic approach—understanding that involvement in physical activity, promotes better mental health—and I am so impressed by the range of programs on offer here across so many different exercises and sports—that enable people of all ages, and with diverse disabilities, to connect with others, have fun, and enjoy independence, while building their fitness, strength, coordination and endurance. 

This year, at Government House, I have been proud to present Australian Honours and Awards to several of our State’s gold-medal-winning Paralympians, who have proved their immense determination to overcome challenges and to represent their country internationally in their chosen sport. In doing so they have become inspirational role models for others. 

I have no doubt that this Clubhouse will continue to play an important role in preparing our state’s athletes for Brisbane 2032, and we will see more champions emerge, and achieve brilliance internationally. 

Of course, not everyone aspires to reach such an elite level, and what is delivered inside these walls—through both its industry-leading equipment and the expertise and professionalism of its staff—is allowing members to follow their own unique dreams and fulfil their own specific goals.  

Both Disability Action Week and next week’s United Nations International Day of People with Disability highlight how much richer and more advanced our whole society becomes by removing the obstacles that lead to inequity, and enabling everyone to be included and valued.  

This is, of course, an objective you are already striving towards each and every day. 

I congratulate everyone involved—the Sporting Wheelies and Spinal Life Board of Directors, the Executive team and staff—whose dedication, combined with the energy and enthusiasm of Clubhouse members and the generosity of donors, supporters, and partners, has created a special place that is far more than a world-class sports precinct. 

Thank you.