Dance for Daniel 2025

Premier, the Honourable David Crisafulli MP and Ministers; Federal Leader of the Opposition, the Honourable Peter Dutton MP; Members of Parliament; Councillors; Mr Bruce Morcombe OAM and Mrs Denise Morcombe OAM and family; Daniel Morcombe Foundation Board Members, Patron, Ms Kay McGrath OAM, Ambassadors, staff and supporters; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen.

I begin by acknowledging the Traditional Owners 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 tonight.

It is so wonderful to be here this evening, proudly wearing vibrant red, and Graeme and I are delighted to add our support to all of yours, at this very special 20^th Dance for Daniel.

While this is the fourth time I have been privileged to attend this event as Governor of Queensland, it is far eclipsed by the incredible two decades the Daniel Morcombe Foundation has worked tenaciously to help children keep themselves safe from harm and abuse.

Although the Foundation’s story begins with the horrific abduction and murder of young Daniel, Bruce and Denise Morcombe have used their grief and outrage to build a mighty force for good that has had a significant positive impact on the lives of many.

By leading the way, and tackling difficult and confronting issues head-on, the Morcombes have compelled us—as a society—to do the same, and it is this collaborative approach, working closely with the community, police, government, and other not-for-profit organisations, that has seen the Foundation develop and grow.

Over the past 20 years, both the Foundation and the Morcombes have received well-deserved accolades and numerous awards for their work in developing innovative, influential and effective education programs that focus on prevention.

Their initiatives have also assisted vulnerable young victims of crime, and supported families who are experiencing the pain and trauma brought when a loved-one is missing. And importantly, their unstoppable efforts have raised awareness of child safety to heights that otherwise may have taken us decades longer to reach.

This evening gives us the opportunity to congratulate the Morcombe family, along with the Foundation’s Board, passionate team and volunteers for these achievements, and for keeping up the momentum as each year passes.

And tonight, we must applaud the incredibly generous recipients of this year’s highly coveted Morky Awards—for their enduring commitment to see the Foundation succeed.

It is also, of course, through the essential contributions of sponsors and donors, and all the many thousands of ordinary Australians in communities everywhere, that we are able to celebrate such incredible advancements in child safety education, and I commend every single supporter for standing behind the Foundation’s objectives and vision.

As Bruce himself has said: “The fire still burns within each of us. We are often outside our comfort zone. But we do what we can…”

We will never forget Daniel. His legacy lives on in our hearts, and in our actions, and tonight we dance together in his memory, with renewed determination to push ever-forwards.

Thank you for supporting this vital, life-saving cause.