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

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78th Anniversary of the Foundation of the Italian Republic

Minister for State Development and Infrastructure, Minister for Industrial Relations and Minister for Racing, The Honourable Grace Grace MP; Ambassador of Italy to Australia, His Excellency Mr Paolo Crudele; Member for Surfers Paradise, Mr John-Paul Langbroek MP; Member, Chamber of Deputies, Democratic Party, Italy, The Honourable Nicola Caré; Members of the Consular Corps; Consul of Italy for Queensland and the Northern Territory, Ms Luna Angelini Marinucci; Mayor, Sunshine Coast Regional Council, Councillor Rosanna Natoli; 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 respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and to all First Nations people here today.

Thank you, Ms Marinucci, for your warm invitation to attend this evening’s reception to celebrate the 78th anniversary of the founding of the Italian Republic.

This momentous occasion in the history of Europe no doubt gives Italians the world over reason to pause, reflect and celebrate.

It also presents a wonderful opportunity for people here, in Queensland, to consider all that the Italian community has done for our State.

An estimated 55,000 people of Italian heritage live and work in Queensland.

Historically, Italian workers were vital in developing both our sugar cane and mining industries in Far North Queensland.

Today, people of Italian descent continue to enrich the commercial and cultural lives of communities throughout the State.

The music, art, history, and cuisine of Italy bring such a deep and dynamic cultural dimension to our lives that we simply could not imagine life without them.

Indeed, as Joint Patrons of Opera Queensland, Graeme and I looking forward to the Puccini performances in the program this evening.

I feel honoured to be invited to celebrate with you Italy’s contributions not simply in recent decades, but over millennia, and especially the contributions of those who have made Queensland their home.

La ringrazio tanto.