Official launch of Gold Coast Open House

Thank you, Ms Pearce, for your warm welcome this morning.

I at once acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we gather, and pay respect to their Elders past, present and emerging.

It is a pleasure to join you today to launch Gold Coast Open House, a celebration of the unique architecture of a thoroughly unique city.

This year’s Open House presents 43 sites, from the Southport Seaway to Balinga, offering the chance to explore a truly diverse selection of buildings – from university spaces to hospitals, private residences and some of this city’s most architecturally impressive landmarks.

In almost every sense, the Gold Coast is as far away as you can get from London, where the Open House movement began back in 1992.

But what both places do share is a community of like-minded inquisitors, curious to discover what lies behind the closed doors of their city’s most intriguing buildings.

Now, many of us hear the term ‘Open House’ and associate it with real estate jargon.

It brings to mind hectic Saturday mornings and enthusiastic sales agents.

But this Open House experience could not be more different.

What continues to delight me every year is this event’s commitment to offering a warm, friendly and free program that everyone can share.

You see, this celebration encourages us to see buildings not as ‘property’, but as evidence of human creativity and innovation, giving us an appreciation of the many ways architects encourage us to interact with our environment.

Like many of the world’s great cities, history is still very much alive on the streets and in the community spaces of the Gold Coast.

So I do encourage everyone to take the time to explore some of the older buildings that will open their doors.

It really does offer a broad perspective on the architectural evolution of the Gold Coast – such an iconic place in the hearts of all Australians.

This event has been made possible by founding partners, the National Trust, Australian Institute of Architects and City of Gold Coast, as well as the many volunteers who have generously given of their time.

I also extend my gratitude to the generous owners and managers of this year’s buildings, and to the fundraising partners and sponsors who help Open House grow in strength and popularity.

On behalf of the people of Queensland, I am delighted to declare the 2018 Gold Coast Open House officially launched.

Thank you.