Luncheon in support of the 60th Anniversary of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award in Australia

Ladies and gentlemen, Kaye and I are delighted you could join us for today’s historic luncheon, celebrating the 60th Anniversary of

The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award in Australia. I especially acknowledge the presence of the Award’s Queensland Chair, Ms Elizabeth Gilchrist, and Australian CEO, Mr Peter Kaye, both of whom were at the memorable anniversary afternoon tea we hosted in September.

In 1954, two years before the creation of his eponymous award, The Duke of Edinburgh sat in an arrangement not dissimilar from our current circumstances, at a formal luncheon held in this very house. That was on Her Majesty’s first Australian tour. That table plan, incidentally, is in the cabinet in the bay window.

As we celebrate today, the Award concept was wonderfully transferred to Australia shortly afterwards in 1959, and in Queensland a few years later.

We know of the statistics: more than 775,000 young Australians are proud graduates; more than 8,500 young Queenslanders are current participants.

What is not immediately publicly appreciated is the enormous administrative undertaking which ensures the programme’s success. I thank those involved here today.

I also welcome representatives from current, and hopefully future, Award partners.

You are all very welcome here at Fernberg. As Governor and Patron here in Queensland, I thank you for taking the time to be here, as we continue to acknowledge the transformative mission of the Award and look to light new pathways for participation.

Speaking of pathways, I looked this morning at the Protocol Queensland official booklet for The Queen and The Duke’s visit post floods in 2011. Government House hosted a luncheon at Southbank. The booklet says I as Chief Justice would walk with Her Majesty along the path to her car, and Kaye with the Duke. What happened was that as we assembled, The Queen designated Kaye to walk with her and I with The Duke. Kaye and I, needless to say, greatly appreciated our own respective experiences. I was so taken with Her Majesty’s asking Kaye to be with her. And the photos in our family album betray a measure of delight.

Before we enjoy this wonderful Queensland hospitality, I invite our National CEO, Mr Kaye, to outline today’s format and proposed discussion.