Afternoon Tea in honour of the visit by The Governor and Mrs de Jersey to Cloncurry

Mr Mayor, Councillor Greg Campbell, and Councillors; Queensland Country Women’s Association Cloncurry Branch President, Ms Sarah Harvey; Ladies and Gentlemen,

I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land, and extend my sincere respect to their Elders.

Thank you all for the welcome you have given to Kaye and me. It is no surprise at all that Cloncurry was voted Queensland’s Friendliest Town in 2013! Your reputation for warm welcomes precedes you, and we are delighted to be its recipients. 

There is a special spot in the heart of Queenslanders for Cloncurry.

Whilst there are many towns of this size which are relatively unknown outside their region, the name of Cloncurry is instantly recognisable to most Queenslanders.

They have studied it in school as the home of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, whose 90th birthday we will honour and celebrate tonight, or they know of it as the destination of the first scheduled air service for Qantas.

So Cloncurry is well known historically as being a driver of innovation in the Outback, but its influence isn’t confined to the past century.

Your famous Stockman’s Challenge, for instance - one of Australia’s greatest and most prestigious horse events - has changed the face of equine breeding in Australia. And the wonderfully-named Curry Merry Muster Festival is a celebration of rodeo that attracts people from near and far.

Some of you present today were born here, and can trace your connection to the town back through several generations. Others are more recent arrivals, who contribute to the ever-changing tapestry that is the social and community life of Cloncurry. All of you can be justifiably proud of the history of the town, and of the community spirit so evident to all who visit.

As many of you know, Kaye is the Patron of the Queensland Country Women’s Association, and both of us congratulate the Cloncurry branch on the important and valuable work you do to serve the women of the region, as well as for your exceptional hospitality today.

The frontier spirit that established Cloncurry over 150 years ago evidently still drives the town today.

Thank you for your hospitality and we look forward to meeting you all over afternoon tea.