Afternoon Reception for ANZAC Centenary Arts and Culture Fund

Speech delivered by His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC as Administrator of the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia:

Ladies and gentlemen, it is my absolute pleasure to welcome such a wonderful cross-section of dynamic cultural life here to Fernberg tonight for this reception in honour, and support, of the Anzac Centenary Arts and Culture Fund.

We at once respectfully acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands around Brisbane, and their elders past and present. And, in the spirit of this evening, we acknowledge, too, the vital contributions Indigenous Australians have made to our nation’s war efforts.

Tonight we welcome many familiar faces: Sir Jonathan Mills (and I should add, the genesis for tonight’s reception arose from a conversation Sir Jonathan and I had in this very room in November last year, at a reception in support of Queensland’s arts community); and we welcome back to our State, one of the doyens of our nation’s contemporary artistic scene, and Member of the Creative Advisory Panel, Mr Wesley Enoch.

And there are those from the various projects funded by this immensely beneficial fund Kaye and I have, in our vice-regal position, so far been involved with, including our Scenic Rim representatives – I was very pleased, with Kaye, to launch their ‘War Stories and Our Town’ publication in Beaudesert in February.

There are of course many others here tonight, and I make a special welcome to those involved with the many other Queensland projects this Fund has supported; I very much look forward to meeting you shortly.

Tonight is very much about thanking you all.

The contentment of our society reliably depends on Queensland’s vibrant arts and culture sector. Crucially, as Anzac Centenary commemorations continue through until 2018, the many projects enabled by this Fund – across the full gamut of artistic endeavour – provide us with deeper insights in to the human experience which informs all aspects of the Anzac legacy. 

These projects ensure our community can continue to fulfil our central obligation as beneficiaries of the gallant efforts of those who fought in the First World War, and indeed in all conflicts – to not forget.

Thank you all once again, I am so very pleased to support you all – and as Administrator of the Commonwealth – our Governor-General is on an Anzac-centenary related State visit to France, it is my great honour to channel that gratitude tonight on behalf of all Australians.