Skip to main navigation Skip to main content

27th Governor of Queensland Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM

Text size

  1. Homepage
  2. The Governor of Queensland
  3. Speeches
  4. Official Opening: 2021 Brookfield Show
Back to Speeches

Official Opening: 2021 Brookfield Show

Member for Moggill, Shadow Minister for Education and Shadow Minister for the Arts, Dr Christian Rowan MP; Mr Julian Simmonds, Federal Member for Ryan; Pullenvale Ward, Cr Greg Adermann; Brookfield Show Society President, Ms Catherine Fullerton; Vice President, the Honourable Jane Prentice; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen; boys and girls.

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

Kaye and I are so very pleased to be with you here today for the official opening of the 2021 Brookfield Show. We are particularly thrilled to have with us our grandchildren Alexander and Sophie!

The Brookfield Show holds a special place in the heart of so many Queenslanders. While we take the date of the first official Show as 1910, the community here would be right to say that the origins of this famous Show go further back in our state’s history to before Queensland was even separated from New South Wales.

Libby Wagner’s wonderful account of this history in “Over the Hurdles: The Brookfield Show Society and its Predecessors” is a worthy read for anyone interested in the history of not just this wonderful Show, but the people who were the pioneers of this community.

In any case, this year we celebrate the 110th Brookfield Show – an admirable legacy and one to which we are continuing to contribute by participating in this year’s Show.

Understandably last year’s Show was cancelled as we faced the first tumultuous months of the COVID pandemic. With that in mind, I am sure this year’s Show will feel that much more special after an absent year.

What has always struck me about the Brookfield Show – which I’ve had the pleasure of attending in previous years whilst in my role as Governor of Queensland – is the community at the heart of this Show, and this area.

Brookfield has been a unique community since it began. Not quite urban, yet not quite far enough outside of town to be considered rural; a Goldilocks-zone where the community has enjoyed the closeness which comes from a small town, and the proximity of the city. Brookfield is one of those places where many people who grow up here, return to start their own families. And that rich community spirit is passed down through those generations. Perhaps this is the secret to the longevity of Queensland’s favourite “biggest little Show”. 

I also acknowledge the Brookfield Show Society and the pivotal role it plays in the show’s success each year. 

And, finally, I thank the Brookfield community for coming out today to support and celebrate! It is now my honour to officially declare the 2021 Brookfield Show open!