Reception for Outstanding Queenslander Contributors

Ladies and gentlemen, Kaye and I warmly welcome you all to Government House.

Our company tonight includes a broad cross-section of dynamic Queensland life.

Kaye and I especially welcome exemplary professionals from the highest echelons of our public service: there are, I am reliably told by my advisors, 19 of you.

Our governmental system reliably depends on you all, and it is an honour to support your work, work so integral to the beneficial provision of the important services on which we all reasonably depend.

Contemporary conditions make your role, frankly, arduous, and having worked with many Directors-General over many years in my previous role, I particularly tonight wanted to acknowledge the really demanding nature of your roles, and to do so with gratitude.

Directors-General, you turn policy into reality, and over such a wide spectrum of community concern.

There are also present here a number of my former school friends from as long ago as the 1960s: how the years have flown! Even Paul McCartney looks older than 35 now…

You will readily identify those from my Churchie days: in contrast to me, they still invariably look like the sportsmen they were 50 years ago, not to claim I was ever a sportsman, notwithstanding that I made the under 15 Hs… But let us not dwell on the past.

The unifying thread of all of your endeavours, personal and professional, is steadfast application to the advancement of our State.

This is our first reception in this Drawing Room since the installation on Tuesday this week of the brilliant portrait of our 8^th Governor, Lord Lamington – watching over my left shoulder – on loan from the State Library… and no, the lamingtons are served only at morning and afternoon teas! Significantly, Governor Lamington oversaw our transition in 1901 from colony to State.

Interviewing me on Tuesday, Mr Andrew Lofthouse from Channel 9 sought my impression now 18 months into this role.

Without hesitation I confirmed the essential privilege of the role, which is to meet, and seek to inspire, so many Queenslanders, and throughout the State – a State five times the size of Japan, seven Great Britains and two and a half of Texas.

Having travelled now extensively throughout our State in this vice-regal capacity, almost 50 regional visits over those 18 months, Kaye and I very much see our fellow Queenslanders as inherently optimistic, and dedicated to an inclusive community positively aligned – and what wonderful resilience we have sensed in those so afflicted, still so afflicted, by drought.

And that optimism, support and resilience reflects the demeanour of all of you, ladies and gentlemen.

We are so privileged to receive you here this evening, at this wonderful ‘people’s House’, Fernberg, now in its 151^st year.

We thank you, and welcome you all, as we continue the respectful vice-regal tradition of providing the finest Queensland hospitality in recognition of such worthy Queenslanders.