Luncheon for Vice-Regal Medical and Humanitarian Patronage Organisations

Ladies and gentlemen, I am delighted to welcome you to Government House for today’s luncheon, acknowledging just some of the more than 160 organisations of which Kaye and I are honoured to be the proud Patrons.

It is, of course, a tremendous privilege to be your Governor, and my ceremonial and constitutional duties are central to a stable Parliament and political process in the State of Queensland.

However, it is my community role, with its abundant links to organisations such as yours, which I find to be particularly inspiring, uplifting and joyous.

Today is an opportunity to thank you – the selfless men and women behind organisations from the medical and humanitarian sectors – for the wonderful work you have done, and continue to do, across our vast and diverse State.

While I am sure many of you have met previously, please take the opportunity today to introduce yourself to representatives from other organisations, learn what they are doing, and consider how you might collaborate to further enhance your services.

Though your backgrounds are wide and varied, you are bound by an unshakable spirit of support, a uniquely Queensland spirit, which is a central theme of this 26th Governorship.

That sense of care and compassion is being demonstrated as large parts of our State recover from extreme weather – unprecedented fires and floods – while other parts of Queensland continue to live with drought.

For you, care and compassion are constant, they drive your everyday work at the more than 25 organisations represented here today, and for that you are to be congratulated.

We also recognise your many volunteers, board members, benefactors, staff and supporters who make it all possible.

Ladies and gentlemen, Kaye and I are most privileged to be your Patrons, and we will continue to do our utmost to acknowledge and support your organisations, which are all so worthwhile.

We continue to be most impressed by the outstanding contributions made by our medical and humanitarian organisations – organisations which enrich and our State.

On behalf of all Queenslanders, I thank you for allowing Kaye and me to visit your organisations to see first hand the wonderful work you do, to meet your many volunteers, and to acknowledge the people you support.

Please continue to enjoy the hospitality of Government House.

Thank you.