Camp Hill State Infants and Primary School Visit

Shadow Minister for Customer Service; Shadow Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Member for Chatsworth, Mr Steve Minnikin MP; Acting Regional Director, Metropolitan Region Department of Education, Ms Racquel Gibbons, and Assistant Regional Director, Mr Hugh Goodfellow; Chair of the School Council, Dr Matt Young; Principal, Ms Deborah Driver; Deputy Principals; Educators, aides, and support staff; P&C Committee members; students; ladies and gentlemen; boys and girls.

I begin by acknowledging the original custodians of the lands around Brisbane, the Turrbal and Jagera people, and extend respectful greetings to Elders, past, present and emerging.

Graeme and I are so pleased to be visiting your beautiful school this morning, and I am delighted to have this chance to talk to you on what is recognised internationally as World Teachers’ Day.

While in Queensland we officially celebrate this occasion on the 28^th of October, I think our incredible teachers—and all of the wonderful people who support them—are more than worthy of two opportunities to say “thank you”.

In fact, we really should thank them every single day for all they do!

I know that the teachers, aides and staff here at Camp Hill State Infants and Primary School share so much more than their deep knowledge and wisdom. They encourage you to do your best in all areas, reassure you when you are trying something new or difficult, and are immensely enthusiastic about your successes.

Your school’s recent triumphs at the Ekka’s Flower and Garden Competition—some of which I was honoured to award—demonstrate what hard work, passion and fantastic imaginations can achieve, but also how much our own victories rely on the contribution and help of others.

Almost every day in my job as Governor of Queensland—and as the representative of King Charles the Third in this State—I am required to meet lots of different people and take on unfamiliar, sometimes challenging tasks.

But I do not do this alone. At Government House, many experienced people are there to help guide me and offer me support.

This is why your school motto ‘Together We Achieve’ is so powerful. It highlights how when we work with one another, listen to others, and offer our help, we all benefit and as a result, the communities we live in become so much stronger.

You are so lucky to attend a school that fosters this concept, as well as providing you with such a lovely learning environment, including a koala corridor.

I was also impressed to discover you have your very own ‘Learning Tree’ here, and my husband Graeme and I are looking forward to sitting under it to read a book to some of you after today’s assembly. It’s a special book about Government House, and it’s called ‘A Place for All Queenslanders’.

Finally, while I encourage you to always try your hardest and to do your best, I also urge you to be generous towards others, and most importantly to remember to thank those who help you along the way—your teachers, friends and families.

I thank all of you for listening to me this morning and inviting me to visit your lovely school.