Kidsafe Queensland Re-Opening of Kidsafe House

I too acknowledge all our elected representatives and Kidsafe supporters. I thank Kidsafe for its invitation to Kaye and me to participate in this important ceremony.

The ferocious storm which tore through the heart of Brisbane in November 2014 was indiscriminate. Among the many buildings it devastated was one dedicated to the safety of our children – Kidsafe House.

The wind, hail and rain conspired to destroy much of the roof of the building and swamp the interior. Photographs of the destruction on the Kidsafe website still have the power to shock more than eight months later.

But there is another photograph which epitomises the spirit of Kidsafe – that of staff carrying on their baby capsule and seat restraint hire service from the verandah of the building, despite the devastation inside.  

It is this indomitable spirit and Kidsafe’s dedication to its mission which have brought us here today, to the re-opening of this building and the resumption of the organisation’s services from its home of 25 years. I am especially pleased to perform this task today, as it was my distinguished predecessor as Governor, Sir Walter Campbell, who opened this house in 1990.

I also particularly acknowledge the presence of Mr Michael Bryce: he and Dame Quentin were very much involved in the formative years of Kidsafe, then known as the Child Accident Prevention Foundation of Australia.

The occasion also gives me, as Governor and Patron of Kidsafe Queensland, and Kaye and me as grandparents of young children, an opportunity to highlight Kidsafe’s marvellous record of working to reduce preventable injury to children in Queensland.

The organisation’s safety programs and media campaigns, information and education services, input into product standards, and hire of child restraints for vehicles, are invaluable contributions to the well-being of the next generations of Queenslanders.

I thank the Kidsafe Queensland Board, Ambassadors, executive, staff, and supporters for their continuing dedication to the safety of children in our communities. I commend them for their patience as this building and its interiors were repaired, and for their determination in maintaining services from temporary premises – always a major challenge.

We very much look forward to meeting more of you shortly.

Before we do, I have the great pleasure of declaring Kidsafe House officially re-opened and, in a few minutes, of joining Dr Acton in unveiling a plaque to mark the happy occasion. Thank you.