Reception for the Presentation of the Queen's Guide and Adult Awards

As proud patron of Girl Guides Queensland it is my pleasure to welcome you to Government House.

I acknowledge Member for Jordan, Mrs Charis Mullen MP, members of the Queensland Girl Guides community including State Commissioner Velia Nicholls, Assistant State Commissioner Amanda Nicholls, Girl Guides Queensland Board Members, award recipients, ladies and gentlemen. 

This ceremony is one of my very favourites each year, as it acknowledges and celebrates the achievements of my fellow Queensland women. 

The mission of Girl Guides is to enable and empower girls and young women to grow into confident, self-respecting, responsible members of the community. 

The importance of this mission is as urgent today as it was 100 years ago when, in this very place, Lady Elsie Goold-Adams, spouse of the 12th Governor of Queensland, first convened a meeting that would go on to establish Girl Guides Queensland.

What a prescient gathering that was.

There was, quite obviously, already demand among Queensland women to be part of a worldwide movement that offered girls a chance to challenge themselves – to learn skills of self-sufficiency and community outreach.

In 1919, at the end of the Great War, this desire certainly makes sense. 100 years later it still does.

Today, the Guides are the largest youth organisation for girls and young women in Queensland, with almost 5000 Youth Members and over 1500 volunteer Leaders and Adult Members. That is quite an achievement.

We hear a lot these days about the ways in which young women struggle to be heard and represented, both in the workplace and in our wider society.

But when I look about this room this evening, I don’t see struggle. I see strength and accomplishment. I see a room full of leaders. I see lifelong friendships and memories to keep and cherish.

For the girls and women of Queensland, this is a time for great optimism and opportunity. The Girl Guides are an embodiment of that spirit.

It therefore gives me great pleasure to present the Girl Guides Queensland Youth and Adult Awards. I congratulate each recipient on your tremendous accomplishments, and urge you to keep close to your hearts the determination and perseverance that brought you here. 

Congratulations once again to all Awardees. Thank you.