Official Visit to Blackall State School

Good morning, and thank you all for you warm welcome.

I at once acknowledge the traditional owners of the lands around Blackall, and extend respectful greetings to Elders and emerging leaders.

Kaye and I are so glad to be back in Blackall, named after Queensland’s second Governor, Sir Samuel Blackall, at this joint assembly with Blackall State School and St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School students.

Twelve months ago, Kaye and I were here to celebrate your town’s 150th anniversary and open the 90th Flower Show.

We have fond memories of that visit, especially of the Flower Show – what a credit to your community that event is, especially amidst the ongoing drought.

I was relieved to see you had some decent rain in March this year. I even saw footage on the television news all the way back in Brisbane of students kayaking down the streets in Blackall!

Was that any of you? Please, can we have some more rain – and then some more kayaking!

As the Governor of Queensland, I am the representative of our Head of State, Her Majesty The Queen.

There are a lot of things I like about my role, one of them being that I get to meet many magnificent young people like you.

That said, we all know that Queensland is a very big state — as big as France, Spain and Italy combined!

My office is based at Government House in Brisbane — nearly one thousand kilometres away from Blackall. That is a long way for you to travel, so Kaye and I decided to bring Government House to you!

Since Saturday last week, we have been working on location, based out of Mount Isa for what we call Regional Government House.

We are on our way back to Brisbane, so we decided to call in to your beautiful town once again.

Blackall is an incredibly fascinating place. There is so much to see and to do here, and it is my sincere hope that more Queenslanders follow our footsteps and pay you a visit. It truly is well worth the journey.

I would like to express my admiration for your beautiful school grounds. It is marvellous to see so many motivated students here today, from both Blackall State School and St Joseph’s. You are a great reflection of the wonderful spirit which elevates your town.  

Finally, on behalf of Kaye and myself, I thank you for your warm welcome today. I very much look forward to meeting with students and inspecting your excellent school work on display.

Thank you.