Official Visit to Farnborough State School

Mayor and fellow Councillors; Principal, Mr Deards; staff and students. It is a great pleasure to be here today as your Governor – perhaps this is a first Governor visit to this wonderful School?

I at once acknowledge the traditional owners of the lands around Yeppoon, and extend respectful greetings to Elders and emerging leaders.

I am often asked what a Governor does, and that is an important question.

I represent her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Queensland’s Head of State.

Later this year we will have in Queensland a State Election, and as part of that I will dissolve Parliament, and I will issue the writs that cause a general election. I do not, however, participate in the political process.

I have a large ceremonial role, and it is my pleasure every year to conduct a number of what are called Investiture Ceremonies, where I have the honour to present very special awards to outstanding Queenslanders for exceptional acts or service.

And then there is the part of my role that brings me to you – the community role. The Governor of Queensland is the Governor for all the people of Queensland, wherever they may live. It has been my privilege throughout my term as Governor to have visited most of Queensland’s regions.

Sometimes it has been as a result of moving the operations of Government House to elsewhere in Queensland, which we call Regional Government House.

And sometimes it is in response to events that are happening in particular places, such as the bushfires that bring me here, or drought or flood.

Wherever I go I am impressed by the people and the school children in the towns and communities I visit.

I have great admiration for the way that Queenslanders without fail band together in times of difficulty or hardship.

I know that the bushfires came very close to your school in September, and you would remember having had to stay inside. Many of you were also affected by the bushfire in November that went through near Yeppoon.

But although that fire was 14km long and 6km wide, the land is already beginning to recover. It has been a tough season, but as the school term has got underway there has been a sense of renewal.

You have an exciting semester ahead of you. The Year Fives are going to North Keppel Island and the Year Sixes to Fairbairn Dam in June, and between now and then there is a great deal to learn and experience.

I would like to say a special ‘hello’ to the Prep students as they start on their educational journey. I will be sure to get a copy of the Morning Bulletin soon to see your photo!

I wish all students and staff a wonderful semester, and I thank you for your warm welcome.