The Victoria League for Commonwealth Friendship in Queensland King’s Birthday Reception

Representing the Lord Mayor of Brisbane, Councillor Andrew Wines; Members of the Consular Corps; senior representatives of the Australian Defence Force, Queensland Police Service, and Queensland Corrective Services; The Victoria League for Commonwealth Friendship, Queensland, Chairman, Mr William (Bill) Willcocks, along with members and office bearers; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen.  

And I also wish to acknowledge in memoriam, the late President of the Victoria League for Commonwealth Friendship in Queensland, Mr Barry Dinneen, who I am sure would be delighted to see so many of us gathered here this afternoon.

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 today.

I am delighted to join you this afternoon at this special reception to honour the official birthday of our country’s Head of State, His Majesty King Charles III. This happy occasion also gives us the opportunity to celebrate the connections that thread together The Victoria League for Commonwealth Friendship (in Queensland, and in the United Kingdom); its Royal Patron; and the Commonwealth of Nations itself, of which Australia is a founding member.

Since its beginnings, 124 years ago, The Victoria League has been committed to promoting friendship and understanding amongst the peoples of the Commonwealth, and significantly, has always placed tremendous importance on the need to assist and encourage our young citizens, particularly through education.

King Charles also appreciates the incredible strength of our youth—who make up almost two thirds of the 2.5 billion people who form the Commonwealth—and His Majesty is strongly supportive of ensuring that young people are better equipped to tackle the challenges that will be theirs to resolve in the future.

When opening last year’s Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa, the King said: “I have tried, in whatever way I can, to foster opportunity—particularly for young people and for those whose voices might not otherwise be heard”.

In taking on the Patronage of The Victoria League, His Majesty recognises the incredible contribution this organisation makes to ensuring that students from Commonwealth countries are given the chance to improve their knowledge, and to develop their appreciation of the traditions we share and that keep our Commonwealth strong.

In London, The Victoria League’s provision of affordable accommodation at Student House, in Bayswater—which I was fortunate to visit—allows young people from around the world to come together as part of the Commonwealth Family; while the organisation in our state, continues to foster this same spirit of cooperation and growth, for those studying here from other parts of the world.

And just as His Majesty has a deep respect for the principles of democracy and equality, and takes an active interest in the people and places of the world, so too, does The Victoria League, and it is through the generosity of its members, and the emphasis the organisation places on building unity across the Commonwealth, that this special bond continues to be one that delivers great friendship and respect.

As your Patron in Queensland, I thank all of you here this afternoon for supporting such valuable ideals, and for the beneficial contribution you are making to helping young people learn and succeed.

We extend to the Head of our Commonwealth, King Charles III, our best wishes for this Saturday’s Trooping of the Colour parade marking his official birthday in the UK, and express our gratitude for his efforts to promote togetherness.