Biggenden State School

North Burnett Regional Council Mayor, Councillor Les Hotz, CEO
Ms Margot Stork and Deputy Mayor Councillor Robbie Radel; Principal, Mrs Raelinda Allwood, staff, proud parents and carers, boys and girls.

I too, would like to begin by acknowledging the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we gather and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging and the many proud First Nations people here today.

My husband, Graeme and I are very excited to have this chance to be here and meet with you all, on this particularly special day of acknowledgement for your 2024 school leaders. Congratulations to you all.

It is indeed an honour to be chosen as a leader.

It is also a wonderful opportunity for you to make a positive difference and, perhaps more importantly, help others develop their potential as leaders, too.

As it happens, I know a little bit about the subject of leadership.

I have been lucky enough to be chosen for a number of leadership roles, including in my current job as Governor of Queensland, and before that as the State’s Chief Health Officer.

As Queensland Governor, my role is as rewarding as it is challenging.

In certain respects, my role is very clearly defined. I am the representative of His Majesty King Charles III, who is Queensland’s Head of State.

I also have very important constitutional and legal duties, including that of ensuring Queensland enjoys stable government.

And I attend important events, such as the opening of Parliament, and attend military parades, remembrance ceremonies and special occasions of state and national significance.

I also host what we call Investiture Ceremonies at Government House, where I present Queenslanders who have gone above and beyond in service to their communities, their State and their country with Australian Honours and Awards – such as the 144 Queenslanders announced on the Australia Day Honours List just days ago.

But there’s another side of my role, an equally important and hugely satisfying part, and that is my civic, or community-based duties, which are my very favourite, because they take me all around the State and allow me to meet wonderful people like yourselves, along with our healthcare workers, emergency services, armed forces, volunteers, business and community leaders – our ballet dancers, our footballers – people from all walks of life all doing amazing things.

I get to meet all of these wonderful people and tell them how proud we are of their achievements and thankful we are for their sacrifices, and offer them my support.

You could consider me, perhaps, to be Queensland’s ‘Cheerleader in Chief’.

I do this knowing how important it is as a leader to recognise that we are all part of something bigger, and that we each have a role to play.

If you look around, you will also see that an important part of leadership is surrounding yourself with friends, teachers, parents, carers and mentors who support and encourage you, too.

Leadership is a wonderful thing to aspire to, if you have ideas and energy and a good work ethic.

Remember, you do not need a badge to lead by example.

Thank you so much for welcoming us so warmly to your wonderful school today, and inviting us to be part of such a special assembly.