Queensland Chamber of Agricultural Societies Morning Tea for 2015 Queensland Country Life Showgirl Awards

This special reception for the finalists in the Queensland Country Life Showgirl Awards each year is one of the highlights of Ekka week for Kaye and me. We welcome you all most warmly.

As this is the very first event in a busy program of activities for our eleven finalists, and possibly their first visit to Government House, I suspect they are all feeling a little nervous this morning.

Let me reassure them that, while I am the current resident of this grand Queensland building, I strongly believe that this wonderful historic home (a hundred and fifty years old this year) belongs to all Queenslanders, so I do hope you are able to enjoy your visit and our Government House hospitality.

I know it will be difficult to relax until the twenty-fifteen Miss Showgirl, Runner-up and Miss Popular are announced in two days’ time.

Irrespective of the outcome, each of you is already a winner. As Miss Showgirl finalists, you represent communities and people throughout this State, particularly young Queenslanders, and I am confident that, with leaders like you, the future of the show movement and of these Awards is secure.

As Patron of the Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association of Queensland, I thank the organisers of the Awards for their tireless effort, and both new and long-term sponsors for their generosity and commitment. The Awards could not continue without their support.

Finally, I congratulate the finalists on their success to date. As Governor, I am privileged to do this on behalf of all Queenslanders, but this week, as Administrator of the Commonwealth of Australia in the absence of the Governor-General, it is an added privilege and pleasure for me to extend congratulations on behalf of all Australians.

Kaye and I look forward very much to welcoming back Miss Showgirl and the Runner-up at next week’s reception to celebrate the twenty-fifteen Ekka. In the meantime, we wish the finalists a wonderful five days of new and interesting experiences and every success for the remainder of the competition.