2017 Queensland Overseas Foundation Award Ceremony

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, it has given me enormous pleasure over the past three years to congratulate the newest recipients of the Queensland Overseas Foundation Awards.

These awards provide a unique opportunity for exceptional young Queenslanders to develop their vocational skills in the international market place. 

The awards are not confined to any particular industry, nor any particular destination.

This allows for great diversity, evident in the fields this year’s awardees represent – business administration, retail butchery and bricklaying.

It gives me particular pleasure to note that the Awards also display diversity in geographic location.

As Governor I have always acknowledged the importance and attraction of regional Queensland, and I am delighted that the regions are so well represented today. 

Bundaberg, Allora and Rocksberg can be very proud of their awardees.

Each of today's awardees has already been recognised for excellence in their fields, having already won very significant accolades.

Today's award is the next step, one that will allow them to test themselves on the global stage, and one which will vastly expand their professional experience. This is an invaluable opportunity to create professional and cultural networks that will last a lifetime.

These young people owe a debt of gratitude to their family and friends, teachers and trainers, employers and mentors, for their unflagging support.

As Patron of the Queensland Overseas Foundation, and as Governor of Queensland, I wholeheartedly join them in thanking you, because your investment in them is also an investment in the future of Queensland.

In the years to come Queensland will benefit tremendously from the skills and ideas that they will bring back with them.

I would like to take a minute to expressly acknowledge the members of the VET community here today, two of whom will be presented with a Bursary for their outstanding efforts later in the proceedings.  

The VET sector does a superb job in equipping our youth with industry skills and knowledge.

It plays a vital role in ensuring that Queensland has the workforce it needs to meet the challenges of a changing world. 

I congratulate all involved on the calibre of the graduates you produce, as exemplified by the awardees before us now.

Ben, Adrian and Justin, I congratulate you on your award and wish you every success for the future. You are a credit to our State, and the well wishes of Queensland accompany you on your travels overseas.