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

Representing the Premier of Queensland, Member for Sandgate, the Honourable Mr Stirling Hinchliffe MP; Representing the Leader of the Opposition, Member for Lockyer, Mr James McDonald MP; Chair of The Order of Australia, Queensland Branch, Mrs Ronda Nix OAM; 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.

I am so pleased you could join us this morning, because today is a very special time for all of us at Government House.

We place great importance on Investiture Ceremonies, such as this one, because these formal events are our state and nation’s way of expressing our immense gratitude to those who have been nominated as worthy of receiving an Honour or Award under our unique Australian system.

This morning, we celebrate the efforts of a group of incredible people, who are exceeding expectations in so many different and remarkable ways.

In fact, it is through this variety in your endeavours, that you are demonstrating the power of community—how strengthening the invisible, intersecting connections that link us, makes our whole society more equitable, and far, far richer.

This intricate network enables the development and exchange of ideas, it fosters the relationships that encourage greater involvement and equality, and it is there to assist and support people throughout their lives.

It is also exceedingly precious, and relies on people like you, who are prepared to use your passion and dedication, alongside your skills, abilities and expertise, to ensure it continues to thrive.  

You are doing this by helping to make our places safer and more caring, ensuring not only that people have the opportunity to benefit physically, from better medical and emergency responses, but also emotionally, through such environments as neighbourhood centres or youth homelessness initiatives.

Others are working with churches, associations, in organisations such as the RSL or Scouts, or within Indigenous communities, to encourage inclusion, belonging and a sense of fellowship.

Your creative work in the areas of music, the performing arts, in producing cultural events, and encouraging greater involvement in sport, is helping to build more vibrant and enriched communities that embrace diversity and reflect our modern, changing world.

Those of you involved in education, the law and history, are promoting the importance of sharing and preserving knowledge and experiences so that those coming along behind, have the information they need to carry this wisdom into the future.

While, of course, the generosity of philanthropy is providing opportunities—across a wide range of areas—to those promising individuals, who might not otherwise have the chance to shine, or to enhance the capabilities and scope of what our institutions can achieve.

Each of these areas entwine and converge, because it is evident, from your citations, that you are tremendously inquisitive, energetic people, who are always striving to contribute more, whether you do this through volunteering, mentoring, or being active on committees or in associations.

This means that your efforts are amplified—reaching more deeply and further afield than you might imagine.

So, this morning, I thank each of you for your valuable contribution, not only to our state and nation, but to the underlying sense of community that unites and improves us.

I know that the loved ones with you today, are immensely proud of all you have achieved, and I take this opportunity to thank them, too, for the support they have shown you throughout your careers and endeavours.

When you leave the Investiture Room—and after we have had the chance to mingle over morning tea—I hope you will continue to wear your medals and pins with pride.

You are our nation’s role models—individuals who demonstrate what is possible with perseverance and a driving sense of selflessness.

As Governor, and the representative of King Charles III in our state, I commend you once again for your achievements. Congratulations!