Official visit to Bundaberg State High School

Mayor Dempsey; Principal, Ms Karen McCord; Bundaberg State High School students, staff and supporters.

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

Thank you for your charming gift, it will be put on proud display at Government House.

Thank you for the warm welcome you have extended to Kaye and me, and thank you also for today’s rendition of our National Anthem, and the Welcome to Country, and congratulations to your musicians.

I have heard Leroy Anderson’s The Typewriter many times, and your performance was outstanding!

I am proud to see the Governor’s Standard flying at Bundaberg State High School, a large, active and energetic school that you should all be very proud of.

That sense of pride extends to the wonderful work being done by everyone involved with the Girls Academy.

This program provides a tremendous opportunity for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women to develop their potential, to be a force for positive change in their community.

It was an exciting time for Bundaberg last year when two Girls Academies were established in local schools, and as Patron I have been very pleased to hear about the impact they have had, and indeed continue to have.

I encourage all students, both from the academy and the wider school community, to apply yourself with diligence and enthusiasm to your learning, and to take advantage of every opportunity you are offered.

What you do in the future depends on what you do now, and upon the choices you make here at school.

I acknowledge that making those choices may be difficult, because you have so many options available at this school.

You have an impressive number of clubs and societies – and I am told one of the most active is the chess club, which is a favourite of mine.

You also have access to an enviable number of sports and arts opportunities.

Kaye and I will soon have the pleasure of visiting your new performing arts building to watch dance, drama and music rehearsals.

But first, I will present an award to OP 1 student Indy Burt, who received a scholarship to the University of the Sunshine Coast.

Like Indy, I encourage you to embrace your time here with a spirit of togetherness and mutual support, for it is through community that we are best able to achieve.

I wish you all the very best for a successful and rewarding year ahead.

Thank you.