The Queensland Club Governor’s Dinner 2016

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen. Kaye and I are delighted that last year’s re-established Governor’s Dinner at the Queensland Club went so well that we are now joining you for this second iteration.

This is you may recall a deferred second iteration, because of the emergent need in July for Kaye and me to travel to the Somme for the centenary commemorations at Fromelles and Pozières. And in that context in particular, I thank you all for being here tonight.

You will not be surprised to hear from me that the commemorations at Fromelles and Pozières were memorably accomplished and deeply moving: as invariably are the presentation of bravery awards at Government House – including very recently to an 11 year old girl who when 8 rescued her little sister from a crushed car; as was greeting 7 Brigade Troops in September, returning from active service in the Middle East, and their families and friends; as was visiting Mrs Galdys Gerchow for morning tea in her home at Buderim following her 100^th birthday; as was travelling to Bundaberg 2 Sundays ago to invest the elderly Mr Eric Cullen with his Medal of the Order of Australia because he could not get to Brisbane… the list goes on. I mention those instances to illustrate the variety of my remit as Her Majesty’s representative in Queensland, and the great potential to inspire and energize, and often, simply to say thank you to great Queenslanders, great Australians.

It is a pleasure to be once again in this distinguished company, in this distinguished building.

As you know, this fine edifice, completed in 1884, shares its Italianate style with the major extension of Kaye’s and my current place of residence, Fernberg, in Paddington. That extension at Fernberg was completed 6 years later than the completion of this clubhouse, in 1890.

It was that significant extension which added the Foyer and elegant timber staircase leading up to the magnificent stained glass Robert the Bruce, and also added the State Entrance topped by the distinctive multi-storied belvedere with views to Moreton Bay and the Great Dividing Range.

This grand building cost just over £14,000. The extension of Fernberg cost around 12,000. 

In the spirit of historical enquiry, I was tempted to bring the vice-regal tape measure tonight, to work out which was the better bargain. 

I didn’t. It would not have been consistent with the dignity of the office of Governor.

Incidentally, my best Google research would suggest the £14,000 construction cost of the clubhouse in 1884 would equate to about $1.8 million in 2016.

And that shows the need for circumspection about Google inquiries. You could not now build this place for $1.8 million. Maybe a stand-alone “card room”! I was in Townsville yesterday for an Executive Council meeting, and saw from a governmental media statement that it will cost $2 million to build a bus stop and associated works at Townsville’s Kirwan State High School, and $1.4 million to construct a shadecover over the quadrangle. How much to rebuild this clubhouse – maybe $200 million?

Now John Stevenson, who commissioned the extension of Fernberg, was a member of this club. I wonder if he had not already made some surreptitious comparisons. 

But even he would not have denied that this building won hands down in terms of the three cardinal rules of real estate – position, position, position.

By contrast, the German word “Fernberg” translates to “distant hill”, and in 1910 when the government acquired Fernberg, it was indeed comparatively far distant from the CBD, accessible only along a lengthy dirt road – or more likely track.

Sir William MacGregor moved there in 1910 from Old Government House, which then became the fledgling University of Queensland. It has been suggested the government was not unhappy to relegate the Governor to the end of a dusty distant track because of disenchantment with some decisions of MacGregor’s predecessor Lord Chelmsford – but I won’t go into that.

But now, as we see, Fernberg is wonderfully situated for Queensland’s Government House.

Yet there is no doubt this location, for a Club with the charter of ours, is unparalleled, and always was.

Diagonally across from Parliament House, across the street from the Bellevue Hotel, and an easy walk from all of central Brisbane’s amenities, the Club attracted a ‘who’s who’ of prominent Queenslanders, then, as now.  

And, then, as now, club members were seeking and finding impressive and comfortable surroundings, a quiet haven, and the kind of convivial company so evident here tonight.

As the latest in a long line of residents of Fernberg with close links to the Queensland Club, I am honoured to continue that association, in particular the long-standing vice-regal connection.

Fernbergandthis fine building are important parts of the fabric of our State’s history.

So too are the men and women fortunate enough to spend time within their walls.

They had, and still have in common, great pride in the marvellous State after which the club was named, and a desire to serve its well-being and prosperity, and none more so than those who so generously give of their time and talents to lead the Club, the President, Mr Scott McLay, and his Committee, and the dedicated staff led by the long-standing Club General Manager, Mr Paul Henrickson, whom we wish well in retirement come January next after 25 years’ service – all so deserving of our profound gratitude.

The Club is emblematic of stability and continuity, mutual endeavour, and substantial indeed eminent public contribution.

And with those uplifting sentiments in mind, Kaye and I warmly thank you all for your wonderful company and generous hospitality, tonight and always, and we wish you the most enjoyable of evenings.

Thank you.