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27th Governor of Queensland Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM

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Commissioning of Officers of the Queensland University Regiment

Commanding Officer of the Queensland University Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Gabby Raffin; members and friends of the Queensland University Regiment. 

I too acknowledge the traditional owners of these lands, the Turrbal and Jagera peoples, and extend my heartfelt respectful greetings and best wishes to Elders.

Graeme and I are delighted to be here this afternoon, for my first engagement with the Queensland University Regiment as the 27th Governor of Queensland.

I am very glad that we gather in the Abel Smith Lecture Theatre, which was named in April 1966 in honour of our State’s 17th Governor and distinguished Army officer, Sir Henry Abel Smith.

That was a day of great ceremony, which included, among other things, a military parade and inspection of Queensland University Regiment.

While there is no inspection planned today, I am delighted to join you to honour the tradition of vice-regal support for this important Queensland institution.

This vice-regal connection aside, there is another deeply personal source of pride to my being here today.

My husband Graeme served for over 30 years in the Army Reserves and was active in the Regiment here at the University of Queensland.

He joins me enthusiastically in congratulating you all on being commissioned as Officers.

Today marks the culmination of many months of hard work and sustained effort.

It also heralds the beginning of a new chapter in your lives, which I know will be rewarding both professionally and personally.

I hope you feel a sense of pride in what you have achieved, especially in the face of the unique challenges we have faced these past 18 months.

I thank the Queensland University Regiment for the invitation to be here today.

I further thank all members of the Regiment and the Association for upholding the traditions and spirit of service for which the Queensland University Regiment is renowned.

Graeme and I very much look forward to providing ongoing support and advocacy for the Regiment, and we further look forward to speaking to many of you throughout the course of the afternoon.

Thank you all for your willingness to serve and I am sure you will continue to make both Queensland and Australia, very proud. Thank you.