2015 National Trust Queensland Heritage Awards

Thank you, Madam Vice-President for your kind introduction. I too acknowledge Minister Miles and all our elected representatives, ladies and gentlemen.

Kaye and I are doubly honoured to be attending tonight’s National Trust Queensland Heritage Awards here at Old Government House.

Firstly, I am Patron of the National Trust of Australia, Queensland. It is a decided privilege to promote, as best I can, with Kaye, your beneficial work.

Secondly, we very much enjoy returning to this wonderful heritage building, so inextricably linked to the history of our State: it was the birthplace of the lamington, and some important people lived here, too!

I congratulate QUT for its magnificent custodianship, beneficially preserving the legacy of Queensland’s first eleven Governors who resided here, and ensuring appropriate contemporary usage; it is emblematic of the spirit of these Awards.

Now as Governor and Patron, I am cognizant of the need to be seen as impartial. I have also perhaps curiously over the years developed a predilection for full and frank disclosure: Fernberg, which from 1910 followed this majestic building as our official vice-regal residence (and is this year 150 years old), is up for an award tonight!

I trust you’ll excuse my saying this much: Kaye and I are enormously proud that the Fernberg project – enhancing access for all Queenslanders – came to fruition during our incumbency.

All of tonight’s nominated projects – diverse as they are from conservation works and planning, to interpretation and promotion, to improving equitable access! – constellate around a central purpose: promoting the natural, Indigenous and cultural heritage of our State.

Pleasingly, the Awards are also truly State-wide, with projects from Toowoomba in the south, to the islands of the Torres Strait in the north, west to Cloncurry. This is consistent with my approach to be Governor, with Kaye, for all Queensland.  

I look forward to shortly presenting awards, particularly the John Herbert Award, named after the former Queensland parliamentarian and Trust President, and the lifetime achievements awards.

(And Kaye and I send our regards to Mrs Yvonnne Herbert who unfortunately couldn’t join in presenting tonight the award in her late husband’s honour.)

I thank the Board, Trust staff and volunteers, members, and the able support you all receive both from within and outside government.

I again acknowledge those involved in each and every project.

You all give tangible recognition to the people, places and stories so integral to historical and contemporary Queensland. It is an honour to support this. Thank you.