Reception for the 2019 Queensland Music Festival

The 25th Governor-General of Australia, and the 24th Governor of Queensland, the Honourable Dame Quentin Bryce AD CVO; the Honourable Justice Anthe Philippides; representatives from the Queensland Music Festival; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen.

Kaye and I are delighted to welcome you all to Government House this afternoon to celebrate two subjects that remain very close to our hearts – performing arts and, of course, Queensland.

The great American composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein once said that “music can name the unnamable and communicate the unknowable”.

I am sure all of us here at Fernberg today agree – music is a common language, a language which creates an almost magical connection between an artist and their audience.

In 2019 the Queensland Music Festival celebrates 20 years of magical connections. Happy birthday QMF!

The inaugural festival was held in the final throes of the 20th Century, a time when Queensland’s musicians were becoming increasingly recognised as a force to be reckoned with.

That trajectory continues today, as does the important role music plays in connecting Queenslanders from all walks of life.

For 20 years, the Queensland Music Festival has transformed into much more than a ‘traditional’ festival, engaging audiences of more than one million people through projects in more than 100 communities across our vast and diverse State.

This includes the festival’s Youth Touring program that continues the Queensland Arts Council’s admirable 50-year legacy of touring arts experiences for students throughout Queensland.

Indeed, through its extraordinary commitment to engaging, entertaining and educating our most remote communities, QMF connects Queenslanders like few festivals can.

At the ripe-old age of 20, the Queensland Music Festival is most certainly a State treasure – a home-grown success story for all to enjoy.

Speaking of which, I would like to acknowledge Brisbane’s own Ms Katie Noonan for continuing to share her passion for Queensland music with us in her capacity as Artistic Director in 2019.

We look forward to enjoying the performances of many talented Queenslanders next year, in what promises to again be a wonderful celebration of our State, both on stage, and in song.

Thank you.