Government House Investiture Ceremony B, Friday 18 November 2022, 2pm

Representing the Premier and Minister for the Olympics, Member for Ipswich, Ms Jennifer Howard MP; representing the Chair of the Order of Australia Association, Mr Geoffrey Cowles 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 respect to Elders, past, present, and emerging. I extend that respect to any First Nations people here with us today.

One of my most important duties, as Governor of Queensland, is to invest fellow Queenslanders with the honours and awards they have earned as a result of outstanding achievement or meritorious service under the Australian Honours System.

In the wake of the passing of Queen Elizabeth the Second, our beloved monarch of 70 years, in early September, we delayed several Investiture Ceremonies.

Thank you for your patience and understanding in that regard.

I am therefore delighted to welcome you all to Government House, as together we celebrate the individual contribution each of you has made to our nation and your nomination as a worthy recipient of one of Australia’s highest honours.

What makes our country’s Honours and Awards system unique is that anyone can nominate a person whom they believe has gone “above and beyond” in their service to others.

This ensures that Australia’s highest awards reach into all aspects of our community life – into our institutions, our workplaces, charitable organisations, sporting bodies, and all the other places so-called ordinary people inhabit.

The valuable effect of this reach is that it unearths achievements that might otherwise have remained hidden.

It is so vital that we identify those who are making a difference, because not only does it give us the chance to say “thank you” publicly, but also ensures others can be inspired by their leadership.

This strengthens us as individuals and communities, reaffirms our ambitions and aspirations, and personifies the ideals and standards we strive toward as a nation.

The depth and breadth of this reach is reflected in the diversity of the 18 award recipients we are honouring today, namely:

• Those who have contributed significantly to our national parliament, to multiculturalism, the law, tourism and agriculture and food science;
• Those who have dedicated themselves to their local communities through medical administration, social welfare, sport, the care of veterans and their families, and working with charitable organisations and clubs; and
• Those who have focused their energies on making a difference through their contribution to fields as varied as engineering, gliding, fashion sustainability, the visual arts, military history, and the Australian Defence Force.

Amid the diversity of recipients, there is a common thread that connects all of you – and that is your humble commitment to making a difference and to helping others.

I would like to pay special tribute to the Late Mrs Joan Rose, who has today been posthumously recognised for her significant contribution to community health in voluntary roles, and I thank her daughter, Ms Maree Rose, for standing proudly in her place today.

I acknowledge and thank the recipients we honour here today for their commitment and contribution to our State, and to Australia.

You have each been recognised by the community and I know you will wear your medals and decorations with pride.

You have certainly earned the respect of the nation. Congratulations!