2019 Cairns Amateurs Ball

Thank you, Mr President, for your very warm welcome. I acknowledge Mayor, Cr Manning; Patron, Mr de Lacy; Committee members; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen.

Sixty years ago, in 1959, the Far North Queensland Amateur Turf Club held an amateur meeting at Cannon Park under the patronage of one of my predecessors as Governor, Sir Henry Abel Smith.

That very first iteration of what we affectionately now call ‘The Amateurs’ was formed with a simple purpose: to unite city and country, in an inclusive celebration.

And while this tropical city has progressed over those six decades, the Cairns Amatuers has stayed wonderfully true to that core mission.  

Ladies and gentlemen, Kaye and I simply love being here with you all, to see Cairns at its very best – and we don’t need a form guide to tell us that. 

I thank the Committee, staff, sponsors and all racegoers for their continuing support of this Queensland institution.

I further acknowledge and thank the immediate past President, Michael Delaney, for his dedicated stewardship, with Cathy' s support, of the event over so many years.

All that is left for me to do, ladies and gentlemen, as current Queensland Governor, is to ask that you please join with me in raising our glasses and toasting to the ‘The Cairns Amateurs’.