Reception for American Ballet Theatre

Minister for the Arts, distinguished guests.

Dancers and company members, I am absolutely delighted that so many of you have been able to take time from your demanding rehearsal and performance commitments to join Kaye and me at this reception. We enormously enjoyed the opening night performance of Swan Lake on Thursday – it was an absolute triumph. We are looking forward immensely to the first performance of Three Masterpieces next Friday.

Ladies and gentlemen, in hosting this evening’s reception, we have the honour of welcoming you on behalf of all Queenslanders. However, I want to make a particular reference to those regional Queenslanders so privileged to view the opening night of Swan Lake via simulcast. I mention this because more than half of Queensland’s population live outside metropolitan Brisbane. It is sometimes difficult for visitors to comprehend fully the enormity of Australia, although less so, I suspect, for Americans. But, to put it in a way you may understand (and if I may indulge just a little), Queensland is two-and-a-half times the size of Texas, so broadcasting your world-class performance directly to regional cities and towns such as Mt Isa, Charters Towers and Mackay is immensely beneficial.

We are especially pleased, then, to welcome American Ballet Theatre dancers and staff first to Australia on this, the company’s very first tour ‘Down Under’, second to Queensland, and third, to Government House, this historic building which has been the official residence of Queensland’s governors for more than a hundred years.

It was only a month ago that I took up my five-year appointment as Governor of Queensland, but I already know there are two established traditions which Kaye and I are pleased to continue.

The first is to host a reception for the international ballet and dance companies brought to Brisbane by QPAC. We are just delighted that you have joined us to continue this tradition, and it is so wonderful for us to be welcoming the premier classical and contemporary ballet company of the United States, a nation we so personally admire and respect.

The second custom which has long been the benchmark of Government House hospitality at Fernberg is to offer our guests the very best Queensland food and wine and the highest standard of service, so we do hope you feel welcome.

May the remainder of your stay in Queensland be enjoyable, successful, and (for the dancers) injury free. We are greatly honoured by your historically important presence here this evening. Please enjoy your time at Government House.