Yeppoon Chamber of Commerce Business Breakfast

State Member for Keppel, Ms Brittany Lauga; Livingstone Mayor, Cr Bill Ludwig; President, Capricornia Chamber of Commerce, Mr Phil Henry; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen.

It is a great pleasure to once again be on the Capricorn Coast, and to reacquaint myself with the wonderful people of this region.

I say ‘reacquaint’, because over my nearly four decades of public service as judge and now Governor, I have spent many happy, vivid occasions in Yeppoon.

Kaye and I fondly recall our pilgrimages to the Capricornia Resort for the annual conferences of the Central Queensland Law Conference. I regularly sat as judge in Rockhampton, and have more recently undertaken frequent Governor visits to our Beef Capital.

It has been a great joy to chart the progress of this region over that time.

Having been briefed yesterday by Livingstone Shire Council – after breakfast I head to Rockhampton – I am aware of some of the structural issues this region faces; I am particularly keen to hear this morning directly from businesses.

This includes the headwinds – economic and, at times during cyclone season, literal – the region encounters.   

Agriculture and commerce, especially associated with tourism, have deep roots here on the Coast – I toured the impressive new foreshore precinct with the Mayor this morning.

It is one of the many attributes which give this region cause for optimism.

The other of course is the people, who I have found to be characterised by conspicuous concern for one another, determination and grit.

I particularly commend those businesses and organisations, which at substantial cost, donated equipment and labour to aid recovery following last November’s bushfires.

It is a great credit to the Rockhampton and Capricorn Coast regions to have such civic-minded businesses embedded in community life.

As the rebuilding efforts continue, I know you will continue to draw on this community spirit which denotes the Capricorn Coast and Rockhampton regions as exceptional.

Thank you all for taking the time to be here this morning. I look forward to the presentation from Capricornia Chamber of Chamber President, Mr Phil Henry, and to meeting many of you throughout the morning. Thank you.