2022 Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Fellowship Awards

The Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Board Chair, Mr David Trebeck; Patron, the Honourable Margaret White AO and Life Members; Queensland Selection Committee Chairman, Associate Professor Richard Roylance; 2022 Winston Churchill Fellows; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen.

 

I begin by acknowledging the original custodians of the lands around Brisbane, the Turrbal and Jagera people, and pay my respect to Elders, past, present, and emerging. I extend that respect to all First Nations people here with us today.

 

It is my honour this afternoon to host the 2022 Churchill Fellows, and to present the 2022 Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Fellowship Awards.

 

Whilst this is the first time that I myself have had this privilege, Fernberg, the People’s House, has proudly performed that role for many years.

It is truly an honour to congratulate the new Fellows. The Fellowships are not just a reflection of the quality of each applicant but an acknowledgment of the sterling work they have each done in their field.

 

One of the elements that makes the Churchill Fellowships so unique is the sheer breadth of endeavours to which they have been applied. Projects from this year span handcrafted footwear, youth detention, health, public transport, Indigenous issues and others.

 

Our thirteen new Fellows have each made a difference in their fields, and what they experience during their time abroad will continue to have an impact on their sector and communities long after they have returned. 

 

A requirement of the Award is that Fellows use their exposure to global best practice for the betterment of Australia.

 

This has been the case since the first Fellowships were awarded in 1965, and the impact of past Fellows has been far-reaching and inspiring.

 

2022 Fellows, congratulations on joining that very special group of people.

 

Your families, friends and colleagues - many of whom are here today - are delighted for you, and very proud. I would like to add my voice to theirs and say how proud I am of you and the contribution you have already made, and will continue to make. 

 

I would also like to thank the Regional Committees and the Trust for their very difficult work in selecting the applicants, and the Board of Directors and Churchill Fellows for promoting the values of the Trust. They continue to uphold Winston Churchill’s vision of a travelling Fellowship that is open to people from all walks of life and which celebrate excellence, a fitting legacy for a man who relished travel and was himself accomplished in many fields. 

 

I wish you every success for your upcoming journey, and hope that you will take the opportunity this afternoon to continue to get to know the people with whom you will be forever united as 2022 Churchill Fellows!