ABC Radio Brisbane Community Spirit Awards

ABC Radio Brisbane Manager, Mr Simon Scoble; our MCs, Ms Loretta Ryan and Mr Craig Zonca; distinguished guests; award finalists; ladies and gentlemen.

I too acknowledge the traditional owners of these lands, the Turrbal and Jagera peoples, and extend my heartfelt respectful greetings and best wishes to Elders.

As one of my very first official duties as Governor of Queensland, I am delighted to join you this evening to celebrate the second year of the brilliant ABC Community Spirit Awards, and to present the 2021 winners with their awards.

I understand last year’s inaugural event was extraordinarily successful, and demonstrated just how strong the spirit of community is here in Brisbane and South East Queensland.

I congratulate ABC Radio Brisbane on continuing this excellent initiative and trust it will be carried on for years to come.

In our first year of living with the global COVID-19 pandemic, I was very conscious of just how important it was to support and sustain connected communities.

Now, after a second year of restrictions and uncertainty, I know that those neighbourhood connections are even more important.

I also know that we now understand, more than ever, just how vital it is for us all to be able to find care and support when we need it, and to have people we can reach out to.

The range of ways in which this support has been provided in Brisbane by this year’s finalists is exceptional and demonstrates the power, strength and diversity of the individuals and groups that have been nominated.

There are the individuals who have inspired cohesive, inclusive communities.

There are events or projects that have united people by filling real needs.

There are the men and women who have helped us to celebrate Australia’s rich cultural diversity.

And there are the innovators who have engaged us in building virtual communities.

But within that enormous diversity, you are united in your humility, in your desire to help others and, most of all, in your passion for making a difference.

As unsung heroes, you embody the very spirit of community represented by these awards; you inspire hope and make life better for those around you.