Morning Tea for Members of the State Council of Queensland Country Women’s Association

Good morning, ladies – and a very warm welcome to Fernberg.

As you all know, there has been a proud history of vice-regal patronage of the QCWA ever since Sir Matthew Nathan took an active role in its establishment in nineteen twenty-two. In the intervening years, thirteen Governors and their spouses have supported this marvellous Queensland organisation through active patronage.

It is a great pleasure for me, as your current Patron, to continue that tradition and to offer you the hospitality of Government House on the occasion of your State Council meeting.

When our chefs were told that you would be our guests this morning, they were a little nervous that their efforts might be scrutinised by those legendary judges of the QCWA Cookery Contest — but I haven’t noticed any score cards or furtive note-taking so far, and I am confident that you will all enjoy the spread they have prepared.

Hospitality and the domestic arts have long been associated with the QCWA (in fact only ten days ago at the Brookfield Show, Paul purchased a deliciously home-made date loaf in the QCWA tearooms) but it is abundantly clear that this organisation today is about much, much more – it’s a vibrant, forward-looking network of clubs; it reaches out to girls and women of all ages; and it is committed to making a difference to women’s lives through scholarships, accommodation services, aged care and crisis support.

I look forward, with Paul, to meeting and chatting with you all, and wish you well for a productive Council meeting and an inspiring State Conference in Gladstone in October.