Reception for the 2014 Queensland Country Life Miss Showgirl finalists

Thank you Lorraine for personally introducing Kaye and me to the past and present finalists.

We are so delighted to welcome you all to Government House on this gorgeous Brisbane winter’s day.

I understand most of you haven’t been to Government House before. While this is Kaye’s and my home, it is also a house for all Queenslanders, and we welcome you warmly. 

I know you have a very busy schedule coming up before the winners are announced on Friday, with early morning rehearsals, a charity walk, and lunch at Parliament House with Madam Speaker.

I can assure you this afternoon isn’t part of the judging process – so please relax.

However I should warn you, you may end up on our Twitter or facebook page. Last week I was sworn in as Queensland’s 26th Governor and the first to be on Twitter and facebook.

And I am still waiting to take my first vice regal “selfie”, so maybe there’s time today…

Country Queenslanders are well-known for their vitality and genuine hospitality.

At my swearing-in I made a public commitment to be the Governor for all of Queensland. You represent the collective goodwill and genuine country values of our rural communities. You are all representatives, and a source, of regional pride.

I grew up in rural and regional Queensland, including in the Lockyer Valley and Longreach where I note two of our finalists are from. As I said, this afternoon isn’t part of the judging process, so there’ll be no favouritism from me…

Kaye and I wish you all the best over the next few days, and we look forward to seeing the winner and runner-up at Government House for a reception we are hosting for the Ekka on Monday evening.