Afternoon Reception for the Presentation of Diabetes Queensland ‘Angel’ Awards

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen. It is Kaye’s and my great pleasure to welcome you all to Government House. This is a very special place, and you are all very special people.

While I am not as flexible as Moya – the yoga practicing, 100 year old face of Diabetes Queensland’s latest public campaign to boost donations in wills – as your Patron, I am nonetheless delighted, with Kaye, to highlight your vitally important work, and to present today the Diabetes Queensland Angel Awards.

Notwithstanding the sustained, exemplary advocacy, education and support activities of peak bodies like Diabetes Queensland, formed in 1968, when I imagine these risks were first being highlighted, it is estimated that up to 3 million Australian adults may have diabetes by 2025. 

This projected increase is by no means a reflection upon the effectiveness of our peak bodies, or our health profession.

If anything, it serves to highlight the continuing relevance of organisations like Diabetes Queensland!

One of the particular challenges remains dispelling some of the myths surrounding diabetes – I suspect many of you will agree that Julia Roberts still has a lot to answer for!

For example, while we are increasingly congnisant of the links between type 2 diabetes and obesity and inactivity, not all cases are preventable. And type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented.

Another myth is that diabetes can be “cured”. However, both types 1 and 2 diabetes need to be managed daily to reduce complications and improve quality of life and life expectancy.

Which brings me to our ‘Angels’, recipients of the most prestigious awards for dedicated service to helping others in the diabetes community.

It is their contributions we conspicuously celebrate today – and while we will shortly hear their impressive citations, I particularly applaud our youngest Angel, Master Nicholas, who was just 8 years old when he used wit and charm beyond his years to calm his grandmother who was suffering hyperglycemia. And, Nicholas, what a magnificent photo of you in today’s Courier Mail – I’ve already cut out my copy!

Now today I also acknowledge, with gratitude, the beneficial work of the upliftingly robust organisation which is Diabetes Queensland, and I thank publicly their President and Board, staff, volunteers and – importantly as a member-based organisation – the individual and corporates supporters and donors. 

Yesterday was World Diabetes Day, where we were encouraged to share our stories. With this in mind, it gives me enormous pleasure to shortly present our Angel awards, and to hear many more of your stories throughout the reception. Thank you all once again.