2024 Queensland Young Tall Poppy Science Awards

Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef and Minister for Science and Innovation, the Honourable Leanne Linard MP; Queensland Chief Scientist, Professor Kerrie Wilson; Director-General of the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation, Mr Jamie Merrick; General Manager of the Australian Institute of Policy and Science, Mr Steve Burke; distinguished guests; Tall Poppy awardees, your family and friends, good evening.

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 all First Nations people here this evening.

I am delighted to join you for tonight’s presentation of the 2024 Queensland Young Tall Poppy Science Awards to acknowledge sixteen of our state’s top scientific leaders – and it’s uplifting to know we are in such good hands!

Tonight, we are celebrating not only excellence in scientific research, but also the ability of our awardees to passionately communicate their scientific endeavours – generating a curiosity in others for the value and delights of the scientific sphere, building understanding of the impact innovation in science can bestow on the world, and inspiring others to follow suit by pursuing a career in STEM.

The tallest poppy of all will be announced tonight however, Queensland Tall Poppy of the Year or not, all awardees should be rightly proud of the incredible work that you have done, and continue to do, in your area of expertise.

Our communities, our state and nation will reap the benefits of your focussed efforts. For after all, this is what your work is all about – giving back to society in order to improve the quality of life for all.

In fact, when we look at the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, so many of these are bound in science.

The quest for ‘no poverty’ and ‘zero hunger’, for ‘good health and wellbeing’ and ‘clean water and sanitation’, for ‘affordable and clean energy’, ‘sustainable cities and communities’, ‘responsible consumption and production’ and for ‘climate action’… all depend on the advancement of science, as does research into antimicrobial resistance and the fight against pandemics – of which I know a little! What a list!

It has been my pleasure to meet many talented Queensland researchers throughout my own professional life spent in the field of medical science, and they are some of our state’s most passionate and hardworking individuals. A group you have put your hand up to be a part of, to help address the global issues and challenges that will be faced not only by our generation, but those to come. For that, we thank you very much.

Congratulations to the Australian Institute of Policy and Science in your partnership with the Office of the Queensland Chief Scientist, for hosting these awards.

Your continued recognition and celebration of ‘Australian intellectual and scientific excellence’ is outstanding. The more our young people are inspired by people like these sixteen scientists, the greater our chances of fashioning a better world for all.

Finally, I would like to wish the award winners all the best for their future endeavours. Be zealous in your pursuits and continue to impassion others. Thank you.