Official opening of the World Polio Day symposium

Thank you, Mr Powell, for your kind introduction this morning.

I too acknowledge the special guests joining us for today’s symposium, and offer a warm welcome to those watching online via the livestream – what a wonderful initiative.

As Governor of Queensland and Patron of Spinal Life Australia, I wish you all the very best for an engaging, informative and highly rewarding day.

Like much of the country, Kaye and I have been inspired this past week by the courageous men and women taking part in the Invictus Games, founded by Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex.

Such events remind us of the vital role community organisations play in helping empower our fellow Australians following a spinal cord injury.

Spinal Life Australia was established 58 years ago, and the number of individuals it has helped over that time is, perhaps, immeasurable.

What we can be certain of though is that its advocacy for Queenslanders, and its commitment to ensuring our State is accessible and inclusive for all people with a disability, has had an enormous impact on the lives of individuals and families not just in Queensland, but throughout Australia.

Tomorrow we mark what would have been the birthday of Dr Jonas Salk, the inventor of the first effective polio vaccine. He would have been 104 years old.

 I was just a boy when polio ravaged the lives of so many Australians, but the terrible image of children, immobile in iron lungs, is something still seared in the memories of people across the country.

Australia was declared polio free in 2000, yet its legacy continues.

There are an estimated 400,000 polio survivors in Australia, and World Polio Day reminds us all that there are many communities still battling the devastating effects of the disease.

The need to provide ongoing support to help these survivors live more connected and enjoyable lives is a key objective of this symposium.

We are indeed fortunate to have an organisation like Spinal Life Australia advocating for the wellbeing of those affected by polio, and I acknowledge the tremendous work of staff and volunteers who really are in the business of changing lives.

It is my honour then, on behalf of the people of Queensland, to declare this symposium officially open.

Thank you.