2023 Queensland Overseas Foundation Awards Ceremony

Shadow Minister for Seniors, Communities and Disability Services and for Multiculturalism and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships and member for Surfers Paradise, Mr John-Paul Langbroek MP; Member for Oodgeroo, Dr Mark Robinson MP; Queensland Overseas Foundation Chair, Mr Geoff Favell and members of the Board; scholarship and bursary recipients, and your families; ladies and gentlemen.

I begin by acknowledging the original custodians of the lands around Brisbane, the Turrbal and Jagera people, and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and to any First Nations people here today.

As Governor and Patron of the Queensland Overseas Foundation, I am delighted to be here today to present this year’s scholarship and bursary recipients with their awards.

And what an impressive range of skills we are recognising today – from hairdressing and fashion, to electrotechnology, nursing, automotive, and teaching.

I see before me a wonderful mix of inspiring young Queenslanders ready to represent our State as they embark on a truly unique educational journey.

Apart from the obvious benefits of gaining new skills, ideas and global networks, the unique experience of travelling and working abroad will also help to grow the cultural understanding, career prospects and independence of these deserving recipients, so it’s fair to say this is a truly transformational opportunity.

Beyond the individual, it also stands to be transformative for Queensland more broadly, thanks to the newfound skills and abilities these graduates will bring home and share with others in their respective industries, helping to facilitate engagement with new technologies, industry practice and ideas from around the world.

As Governor and Patron of the Foundation, and on behalf of everyone here, I congratulate this year’s scholarship and bursary recipients and acknowledge their proud family and friends, along with the training organisations and employers who have helped them along the way.

And I thank, most sincerely, the Board of Governors of the Queensland Overseas Foundation, along with its industry partners and sponsors, for their continuing efforts in support of this excellent initiative, which brings so many benefits to Queenslanders and to Queensland.

It now gives me great pleasure to present a Certificate of Patronage to Chair of the Queensland Overseas Foundation, Mr Geoff Favell.