Dinner in Support of Brisbane's Historic Homes and Landmarks

Good evening, all.

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.

Graeme and I welcome you to Government House, and what is for now, at least, our home and my working residence as Governor of Queensland.

I suppose you could say it’s the ultimate work-from-home gig!

The experience of living in a place where every room is imbued with historical significance and each wall adorned with artwork that tells us a story about who we are, can be hard to accurately describe.

As you have heard from Judith, Government House and the magnificent Fernberg Estate was once a private residence, and only purchased by the Queensland Government and converted for use by the representative of our Head of State in 1911.

However, in the intervening years the residence has become a place that is truly representative of how far we’ve come as a state and a people.

Official portraits of former and current Monarchs share space with artworks by renowned Queensland painters and landscapes familiar to anyone who has ventured outside of our major cities. These images share their rooms and hallways with Aboriginal crafts and cultural items, many of which have been gifted to former Governors or to me.

It is the very definition of living history, and I can only imagine that those of you who live in and care for our historic homes must experience something similar — the feeling that you serve a greater purpose than simply inhabiting a place, professionally or personally.

The same might apply to you, Ms Shirreffs and Mr O’Rorke, who as decision-makers for, respectively, the Queensland Heritage Council and a development company of some note, seek and have enormous input into our built environment.

And to you, the Honourable David Thomas, as President of the RNA, which is responsible for the good management for several heritage buildings on its site in Bowen Hills. Likewise, Mr Walker has visions for the Old Museum nearby, which the Queensland Youth Orchestra calls home.

It may also resonate with you, Mr Middleton, as steward of an event that does more than any other in this city to promote the significance of our built environment — Brisbane Open House.

And those among us lucky enough to claim ownership of such magnificent historic homes as Lamb House and Hanworth House, might it be pertinent to suggest you feel something akin to custodianship?

I’m sure this provides plenty of incentive when vying for the attention of niche and specialist tradespeople, such as Scott McMillan of McMillan Heritage Plastering and The Chandelier Workshop, both of whom have done work here and I’m sure have a lengthy waiting lists!

Certainly, we can all appreciate the wonderful work being done by our elected officials to protect and revitalise our heritage architecture.

A good example is the recent reopening of a restored Newstead House — an event at which I had the honour of cutting the ribbon in my capacity as Joint Patron, with Graeme, of initiatives such as the National Trust of Australia in Queensland, and the South-East-Queensland Open House programs. Thank you to Brisbane City Council for the work they have done as custodian of Newstead House.

Of course, one of the best things about living or working in an historic home is that you sometimes can share the experience with others — and in my case several times a week, thanks to our regular tours and open days here at Government House.  Thank you to our very knowledgeable volunteer guides, including Ms Judith Anderson OAM, who joins us tonight, for their support in opening the house.

I have encouraged this throughout my term, as to me this house should always be considered a place for all Queenslanders.

Similarly, thank you to Dr McConnel for her work as curator of Old Government House ensuring it is available for everyone to enjoy.

There are those among us who have an entirely different and unique appreciation for grand buildings. Mr Hewett, as a guest conductor at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Paris Opera and Vienna State Opera, would certainly know much more than me about the acoustic qualities of this room, for instance.

But really, it shouldn’t matter whether you have bought, lived in, designed, built, managed or legislated to protect one of our historical homes or heritage buildings.

We all have a duty to preserve these monuments to our past, which double as endowments for our future generations — like extravagant gift boxes filled with memories, meaning and delight.

On their behalf, as Governor, I thank you one and all for your generosity and significant contributions.