DonateLife Queensland 32nd Service of Remembrance

State Manager and Nursing Director, DonateLife Queensland, Ms Tina Coco AO; Donor families; Donation recipients and your friends and family; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen.

I, too, wish to acknowledge the Original Custodians of the lands around Brisbane, the Turrbal and Jagera people, pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging, to all First Nations people here today, and thank Aunty Pat Williams for her Welcome to Country.

I also thank all of you for being here this morning, as we honour the very special individuals and families who have helped give so many Queenslanders and Australians a second chance at life.

It has been my privilege, as a medical professional, and now as Governor of this state, to have had a long-running connection with DonateLife Queensland — in fact, this is the 30th annual Service of Remembrance I have attended.

Much has changed in medicine over the years, however the immense compassion that features in each story of organ and tissue donation and transplantation has remained the same.

When working in emergency medicine, I saw first-hand the devastating effect the loss of a life had on loved ones.

I also saw, amid this immense loss, the realisation among many families that it presented a rare opportunity to save or prolong the lives of others.

My time at the Princess Alexandra — particularly with the hospital’s liver and renal services — enabled me to see the transformative effect transplantation had on recipients and their families.

Quite simply, donations carry with them hope. And those who donate are heroes who save lives. And a very special bond exists between those who give and those who receive organ donations — one borne from this unique form of generosity.

I am full of admiration for those families who have supported the decision of their loved one, or reached out to change the lives of others at what is a time of immense personal heartbreak.

There are some 1,800 Australians on organ waitlists, and while most of us support organ and tissue donation, far fewer have committed to the Australian Organ Donor Register.

It is why I am so grateful for the efforts of DonateLife Queensland’s staff, Community Champion volunteers and supporters, who do so much to raise awareness and encourage us to have these important conversations with our own families.

Finally, I commend the medical specialists and nursing professionals whose expertise and empathy help donor families, recipients, clinicians and the broader community negotiate this challenging path.

Now, as the Governor of Queensland, I would like to honour all Queensland donor families and take the opportunity to wish all transplant recipients health and wellbeing.