Ceremony C -King's Birthday Australian Honours & Awards Investiture

President of the Australian Bravery Association Queensland Branch, Dr Sally Gregory; Former Deputy National President of the Australian Bravery Association, Senior Sergeant Michael Pearson BM; award recipients, your family and friends; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen; boys and girls.

I begin by acknowledging the Original Custodians of the lands around Brisbane, the Turrbal and Jagera people, and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and to any First Nations people here today.

It is my pleasure to welcome you to Government House — the place for all Queenslanders.

Today’s very special Investiture Ceremony honours a group of people who exemplify the true meaning of bravery.

In our lives, from time to time, we may be required to show stoicism, fortitude and resilience, but as civilians, we are rarely called upon to be selflessly courageous—to make a conscious, deliberate decision to move from safety to danger, putting ourselves at risk, in order to help another.

Each of today’s awards recipients have demonstrated such outstanding bravery and in doing so have shown an astounding strength of character.

The citations we have heard this afternoon speak of confronting, traumatic situations involving fire, water, explosions, accidents, assaults and attacks.

In each case—(whether they involve a relative, neighbour or complete stranger)—when faced with an unexpected and immensely challenging event, you have all acted with decisiveness, quickly assessing the situation, and then doing everything in your power to save lives.

You have shown ingenuity and understanding, but above all, you have shown incredible heart—genuine compassion for the wellbeing of another, offering valuable reassurance alongside practical assistance. Even once the crisis had passed, you ensured that those you helped reached the safety of our emergency services.  

Sometimes, the story does not end happily, and I am aware, and acknowledge, that these events have been tremendously difficult, and have affected you deeply—incidents you will carry with you into the future.

Yet, it is so uplifting to know that there are people in our communities who are prepared to act with such humanity.

I am sure the families and friends of those you have helped, are forever grateful that you were there at those harrowing times—yet, it is almost impossible to thank you enough for the exceptional bravery you have shown.

These awards today—the highest our country can bestow—go some way to ensuring that you are recognised publicly for your actions…and that is entirely as it should be.

Our enviable way of life, and how we view ourselves as a nation, rely on the efforts of individuals, and by applauding your efforts, we acknowledge that the qualities of courage and altruism remain the cornerstones towards which we are, collectively, always striving.

It is therefore important that this ceremony is conducted with such formality and gravitas, because you have earned our respect and unwavering admiration. While I know you would never seek such accolades, you set an influential example for others.

Your actions prove that heroes do not have to wear masks and capes. Instead, we celebrate the capacity for ordinary people to do extraordinary things—reaffirming our faith in each other.

I know that those loved ones joining you today, are incredibly proud of you, as, of course, are all of us.

It is my privilege, as Governor of Queensland, and the representative of King Charles III in our state, to commend you for your contributions, and to thank you for being such wonderful Queenslanders. I look forward to meeting you all over afternoon tea, and hearing more about your astounding deeds.