Brisbane Open House 2022 Program Launch

Representing the Lord Mayor of Brisbane, Councillor for Marchant Ward, Fiona Hammond; Director-General of the Department of Energy and Public Works, Mr Paul Martyn; Chair of the Brisbane Open House Board, Mr Malcolm Middleton OAM and Members of the Board; The National Trust of Australia Queensland, Chair, Ms Gina Palmer and Chief Executive Officer, Ms Jayme Cuttriss; Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of Queensland, Most Worshipful Brother Jeffrey Harper AFSM; Director, Heritage, Environment and Heritage Policy & Programs, Department of Environment and Science, Ms Catherine Chambers; Brisbane Open House staff and volunteers; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen.

I begin by acknowledging the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we gather today, and their connection to land and community. I pay my respect to all First Nations people, and to Elders past, present and emerging, who preserve and share their unique knowledge with great wisdom.

I am very excited to be able to join you all today for the official launch of Brisbane Open House program for 2022.

It is wonderful to be welcoming the return of the large-scale Open House format we know and love since the pandemic forced it into somewhat of a holding pattern since 2019, with the addition of some exciting new initiatives including the introduction of the Villages of Brisbane, and the Iconic Precinct – Fish Lane Arts Precinct.   

While for Graeme and myself, this will mark our first Brisbane Open House as Joint Patrons, we are long-time admirers of Brisbane’s fine examples of heritage architecture, so the significant responsibility of gaining temporary custodianship of one such example – being of course the magnificent Fernberg Estate – was not lost on us. We are thrilled that Government House will once more be opening its gates as part of this year’s Brisbane Open House program as we really do view it as a place for all Queenslanders.

It is so important to ensure that community events cater to people from all walks of life, and I think Brisbane Open House does this in a particularly outstanding way, with an impressive track record in past years of including in the program many educational seminars, children’s and family activities and live performances across the city.

I commend the Open House staff, organisers and volunteers for their tenacity, enthusiasm and adaptability in ensuring that Open House not only survived, but thrived, over the past three years, particularly with the implementation of the interactive, digital program in 2020, and for the hard work involved in bringing this year’s program to fruition.

I would also like to acknowledge the partners and supporters of Brisbane Open House, without whom, this free community event could not go ahead.

Of course, Brisbane Open House would not, in fact, be ‘Open House’ without the wonderful building owners who graciously open their doors to allow public access to their spaces over the weekend – thank you for your valued support.

Congratulations to all involved on a wonderful program and I encourage anyone living in and around Brisbane to make the most of this unique opportunity to tour some of our most remarkable places and spaces.

Without further ado, I am absolutely thrilled to officially launch the Brisbane Open House 2022 program. I am also delighted to accept Joint Patronage, with my husband Graeme (who is unfortunately unable to join us this morning), and present a certificate of Vice-Regal Patronage to Brisbane Open House Board Chair, Mr Malcolm Middleton OAM.