Redland Community Afternoon Tea

Mayor, Councillor Williams, and Councillors; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen; and students, so many of whom could gladly join us today. It is a great honour for Kaye and me to host today’s afternoon tea at this wonderful community venue.

I at once acknowledge the traditional owners of the surrounding lands and seas, the Quandamooka people, and extend respectful greetings to Elders and emerging leaders.

This is our seventh visit to the Redlands since I was sworn in as Governor just over five years ago – and there are two more visits planned over the next few weeks, to Cleveland Scouts and the Cleveland Bowls Club!

Today, we visited Macleay Island State School – a first for a Queensland Governor since the wonderful community school was opened in 1986; followed by a visit to the Island’s Art Centre; and a briefing from Mayor, Councillor Williams, and the Council administration.

On each of our visits, Kaye and I have collected many happy memories of the people and places contributing to the special character of this region, and thereby our State.

It may be within touching distance of our capital, but Redland City, the Redlands Coast, Mayor, proudly maintains its own unique identity... an identity grounded in its State-defining Indigenous heritage, and so conspicuously entwined with Queensland’s social, economic and agricultural development.

And, with more coastline than the Sunshine Coast, that identity really is brought to an accent by the area’s stunning natural landscapes – from beautiful bay islands to the idyllic bushland of the backcountry.

I hope through frequent visits, with Kaye, to encourage many more Queenslanders to discover what is uniquely on our doorstep.

Of course, this region – appropriately recognised as a City in its own right since 2008 – makes a very serious contribution to the State’s economy, with annual activity nearing $6 billion and a population nudging 160,000 – and growing rapidly.

It gives Kaye and I great delight to recognise you all today, representatives of the many businesses, industries, community groups, faith communities and schools which give this region great depth and optimism.

Thank you for taking the time to join us, and we look forward to meeting many more of you throughout the afternoon.