Endeavour Australia Cheung Kong Awards Presentation

I acknowledge Assistant Minister Mark Ryan MP; Consul-General of China, Dr Zhao; ladies and gentlemen. Kaye and I are delighted to see the Endeavour Australia Cheung Kong Awards presentation return to this historic house.

We warmly welcome Mr H. L. Kam representing the Cheung Kong Group and other representatives of organisations associated with Awards, along with awardees and a number of their families.

As a matter of entirely incidental interest, your silence was sought tonight by our historic Government House gong, struck for the first time by a mallet recently gifted to me by the Queensland Symphony Orchestra’s Principal Timpanist – and isn’t that a marvellous thing!

As you know, the guiding spirit of these awards is the inspirational Chinese proverb: Learning has no boundaries.

But I believe that it would be appropriate today to refer to another Chinese saying, specifically attributed to the famous sage we know as Confucius, and usually translated as:  Education breeds confidence. Confidence breeds hope.  Hope breeds peace.

In that respect, the number of awardees involved since the awards were established in 2004 must be around 2,000. This represents a very significant number of young people whose confidence in their own talents and knowledge has been enhanced by the opportunity to live and study overseas.

It represents a substantial body of talent, experience and expertise now spread throughout Australia and Asia, boosting the qualities which communities need most – among them innovation , ingenuity, and a commitment to collaboration – in responding to the many challenges of the 21^st century.   

It represents a significant number of individuals who have forged new networks of personal and professional connections in one another’s countries. The mutual understanding which results further encourages cooperation and collaboration between communities across Australia and Asia in responding to local, national and global challenges.   

As Governor, I congratulate most warmly today’s Queensland-based recipients – not forgetting their supportive families – as the next group to take up the challenges and enjoy the benefits of these prestigious awards.   

Kaye and I wish you well in your endeavours. I look forward to presenting your awards shortly.  

I thank, with equal warmth, the many organisations and educational institutions which participate in these awards. 

And I offer particular congratulations and appreciation to the Cheung Kong Group and the Australian Government for their great foresight and generosity in creating and supporting the awards.

The awards remain a visionary investment in the future of Queensland, Australia and Asia, and I wish all those involved continuing success. Thank you.