Afternoon Reception in Support of Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month

Cystic Fibrosis Queensland Chair, Mrs Margaret Walker and Directors; Chief Executive Officer, Ms Petrina Fraccaro; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen.

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

Kaye and I are delighted to welcome you all to Government House this afternoon to acknowledge “65 Roses” month – the annual campaign each May to promote awareness of cystic fibrosis.

Since becoming your Patron in 2014, it has been an enormous honour to observe such a focussed and united team working together to improve the lives of those living with this genetic condition.

Over those seven years, Cystic Fibrosis Queensland has provided Kaye and me with the opportunity to come to know and better understand a group of truly remarkable Queenslanders.

We have been humbled to witness the strength and bravery of the children and young adults – some of them now not so young, thanks to advances led by you all – who face the relentless challenge of keeping this debilitating disease in check.

To the families, health workers, employees, donors, and volunteers: your unfailing support to help those in your care reach for ‘a life unaffected by cystic fibrosis’, has been inspirational.  

And, in addition, the achievements made by research and medical intervention to improve the lives of those with this life-limiting disease, have given us all reason to celebrate.

The advances made because of your combined efforts, have seen Cystic Fibrosis Queensland transition from being a child centred organisation, to one that now counts equally as many adults in its care.

Expansion of services to meet this increased need required exceptional leadership and advocacy on behalf of the community you serve.

In 2016, Kaye and I took great interest in visiting the Adult Cystic Fibrosis Centre at the Prince Charles Hospital, and, in 2017 it was a privilege to open the new headquarters of Cystic Fibrosis Queensland in Toowong.

Your organisation is a lifeline for community members and families affected by the disease. The hard work of all involved ensures that those diagnosed with the condition never remain isolated or unsupported 

On behalf of all Queenslanders, as Governor and Patron, I commend Cystic Fibrosis Queensland and its community members and would like to thank you all for your dedication to championing “65 Roses” and to improving the lives of those who live with this condition.

Now finally, in preparation for this evening, I wondered whether I should ask our gardeners to pick 65 roses from our wonderful beds, but I realised with its being June, that we could not be sure of perfection, and that is what you deserve: so the result is but one bloom, one perfect bloom, which sits on the piano lid!