RECEPTION FOR THE ORDER OF ST JOHN FOR THE INVESTITURE AND PRESENTATION OF AWARDS

As Deputy Prior of St John Ambulance in Queensland, it is a great pleasure, with Kaye, to welcome you here for this formal, solemn ceremony to publically recognise the achievements and service of our four postulants, and the twenty-sixteen Cadet of the Year. In doing so, we extend a special welcome to one of our postulants, Bradley Hutchinson, who has travelled from Ayr to be here for this occasion.

It is not quite two years since I was invested as a Knight of Grace of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem.

I was honoured to become part of this centuries-old tradition of service and charity that has operated in Australia for more than 130 years. 

As a past recipient, I know that those receiving accolades today, as well as their families, are feeling both excitement and pride as they wait to be inducted into this ancient order or promoted within its ranks. The Cadet of the Year will certainly remember this day for many years to come.

Today’s investiture ceremony is a time-honoured ritual, rich in symbolism, celebrating the Order’s cardinal virtues and beatitudes which have survived for more than nine hundred years. That they have survived for so long is evidence that, as a society, we continue to value the dedication and Christian beliefs that have underpinned the Order’s commitment to service since the very beginning.

Sadly, the continuation of that commitment cannot be guaranteed.

We live in fast-paced, rapidly changing, sometimes chaotic times, and in such circumstances, values and ideals can falter.

Such times should be seen as a clarion call to us all to redouble efforts to strengthen membership, thereby upholding the core principles of the Order and encouraging public support for the vital work that St John Ambulance does in communities across our State.

As Deputy Prior, I congratulate all recipients on their achievement, and as Governor, on behalf of all Queenslanders, I thank them for their commitment and service and for their contribution to ensuring the safety of communities across Queensland.