Official Opening of the 30th Hungerford Field Day

Good afternoon to the nine residents of Hungerford and their compatriots and I would like to acknowledge the official guests: Shadow Minister for Local Government and Member for Warrego, Ms Ann Leahy MP; Bulloo Shire Mayor, Cr Tractor Ferguson and Mrs Peggy Ferguson; Board Member Royal Flying Doctor Service, Queensland, the Honourable Bruce Scott; and Hungerford Progress Association President, Mr Mick Fisher and Mrs Michaela Fisher.

It is an immense pleasure for Kaye and me to be with you today as Hungerford hosts its 30^th Field Day. A pleasure? Kaye and I are beyond excited to be with you today!

Not only is this our first visit to Hungerford, but it is also the first time a Queensland Governor has ever visited this important town.

I am therefore deeply privileged to be sharing that honour with you all.

Our being here grew out of my opening last year the new Thargomindah Air Terminal, when someone said to Kaye: ‘would you mind coming to Hungerford?”

Well here we are, doing what Governors quintessentially should do!

I was with the Premier yesterday, Queensland Day, and I told her about this visit and she specifically asked me that I pass on her very best wishes to you, the people of Hungerford.

Hungerford, immortalised by writer Henry Lawson, is a tiny community I am told the resident town population is currently only 9 people, with another 50 living in the vicinity.

I love, as Governor, the privilege of visiting small communities and communities for the first time.

Hungerford you meet both criteria and what your town lacks in numbers it makes up for in heart.

Despite this remote location, and the fact that the Bulloo Shire has seen the effects of recent flooding, and prolonged drought, your community unites to both host this wonderful biennial event, and to support the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

As Patron of RFDS Queensland, I understand how valued the organisation is to those living in isolated regions.

Over the last six Field Days, Hungerford has raised almost $60,000 to help keep them airborne!

Yet, the Hungerford Field Day is about much more than fund-raising.

I am pleased to see the impressive array of exhibitors here, who provide essential products and services to those in the outback…together with talented artists and designers, live entertainment and even a mechanical bull to test your skills.

I know some participants have travelled extensive distances to be here.

Visitors, too, have come from far and wide, allowing Hungerford to show off what makes the town and region unique. 

There aren’t many places where locals and visitors alike are required to open a gate to enter or leave town, or where the original 145 year-old hotel still welcomes thirsty travellers! 

We all know that this event would not happen without hard work, passion and commitment.

I would like to commend the late Mrs Margaret Dunk, who, in 1981, founded the Hungerford Field Day, and then coordinated it for 18 years.  In her trademark red hat and coat, Margaret got things done and this attitude has inspired the current slogan “Infront Outback”.

I also congratulate and thank the present enthusiastic organisers, and the numerous volunteers, donors, sponsors, exhibitors, participants and visitors, for making this Field Day a success.

I hope everyone continues to enjoy this feast of outback experiences.

People of Hungerford, stay resilient Queenslanders. I am so proud today to salute and honour you, I am delighted as the 26th Governor of Queensland to be the first to officially visit this wonderful enduring town and district.

And so now, it is my tremendous pleasure to declare the 2019 30^th Hungerford Field Day officially open!