Cairns Indigenous Art Fair Sponsors’ Welcome

Thank you, Vanessa, for your kind introduction. I acknowledge our Premier, Senator Brandis, Mayor Manning, other elected representatives, ladies and gentlemen. At once I pay respects to the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we gather, and their Elders past and present.

Kaye and I are truly delighted to be with you this evening and I take this opportunity to thank, publicly, the Board and Management of the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair for inviting me to become Patron of the Fair. I also acknowledge First Nations Patron, Henrietta Fourmile-Marrie, who joins us this evening.

It is my privilege, as Governor of our State, to speak for all Queenslanders. In that capacity I sincerely thank the sponsors, congratulate the artists, and welcome the many local, national and international guests attending this reception and the twenty-fifteen Fair.

The marvellous companies and individuals who have supported this year’s Fair have not only shown great generosity and commitment, but have demonstrated their belief in the importance of this event to our First Peoples, to the city of Cairns, and to the economy of Far North Queensland. You have all set a fine example for others to follow.

While the program put together for the Fair offers a wealth of new experiences for visitors, I do hope they will take the opportunity to enjoy the legendary friendliness of Queenslanders and to explore the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef and our World Heritage rainforest while they are guests in our State.

Of course this reception is just a prelude to the Opening Night Party which we will all soon be joining, and the excitement is palpable. Kaye and I are very much looking forward to tonight’s celebration, and wish you all every success for the twenty-fifteen Fair and for the future of this great Queensland event.