Barcaldine Regional Council Community Reception

Barcaldine Regional Council Mayor, Councillor Bob Chandler; CEO Mr Shane Gray and Councillors; members of the local community, welcome.

 I begin by acknowledging the Traditional Owners, the Iningai people of the Barcaldine region and pay my respect to their Elders past and present. 

I am very pleased to be here in Barcaldine, a town that holds such significance for Queensland, historically and culturally. 

I’ve made this stop on my way further west, where I will also visit the communities of Cloncurry and Julia Creek. 

Part of the reason for my visit here is so I could help you mark a very special occasion — the 100^th anniversary of the Barcaldine War Memorial Clock. 

It is important for me, in my role as Governor, to acknowledge the contributions and sacrifices of all those in our State who have served, or are serving, in our Defence Forces. 

Of course, I feel it is equally important to show my support for people who live in regional Queensland, working on the land or in towns and communities such as yours. 

At my swearing in as Governor, I pledged to visit Queenslanders where they live and I am steadily making my way around this vast State of ours, talking to as many people as possible, seeing first-hand the challenges they face, but as importantly, applauding their resilience and offering the gratitude of the Queensland people for their contribution to our State.