Private Investiture Ceremony for Mrs Irene Edwards OAM

Brisbane City Councillor, Ryan Murphy; ladies and gentleman.

As Governor of Queensland, I gladly and proudly present to you today, Mrs Irene Edwards, one of the highest honours an Australian can achieve. On behalf of the people of Queensland, most especially the people of Wynnum Manly, I commend you for your outstanding contribution to our State and nation.

Your many years of dedicated service have been noted and greatly appreciated by your community, and although you did not undertake such service in order to receive a medal or to be recognised publicly, you are, nonetheless, fully deserving of this special commendation.

Mrs Edwards, we here all admire the magnificent way in which you have cared for elderly residents of Wynnum Manly for more than thirty years, providing them with many a comforting meal, a listening ear and a friendly smile as a Meals on Wheels volunteer, team leader, management committee member and historical officer.

Your compassionate hand has also reached out to our veterans, and I thank you for a decade of fundraising for the Brisbane East Branch of the National Servicemen’s Association of Australia.

With the bestowing of this medal, you join a distinguished group of remarkable Australians admired and respected by all.

The very grateful families of the people you have cared for over the years, your entire community, your family and friends, everyone who joins us here today, Kaye and I: we all wholly commend you.