Government House Investiture Ceremony D, May 2023

Representing the Premier, Member for Stretton, Mr James Martin MP; representing The Order of Australia Association Queensland Branch, Mr Geoff Cowles OAM; award recipients, your family and friends; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen; boys and girls.

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 today.

I, along with the entire Government House team, warmly welcome you to Fernberg this morning. It is always such a privilege and pleasure to host Investiture ceremonies, because they give us the opportunity to meet people who have made a genuine and positive difference to the lives of others.

The formality of this event continues a tradition that our nation holds dear, and while it is not being watched by many millions around the globe—as we saw with the recent Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla (which I was fortunate to attend)—it is an important way our state and country can publicly acknowledge your outstanding contributions.

This morning, in this room, we have an exceptional group of awardees, who together represent what makes our Australian Honours System so unique and well respected.

Our system ensures a wide cross-section of potential awardees are put forward for consideration—from people who already have a public profile, to those who are unused to the limelight.

The selection process itself is stringent, as each nomination is scrutinised, and intensely researched by a dedicated Honours Secretariat within the Office of the Governor-General.

You should therefore feel immensely proud of being honoured in this way.

The citations we have heard this morning demonstrate the diversity of those receiving awards and highlight how Australia’s highest awards are reaching deeply into our communities, creating a powerful force for good that strengthens and enriches our society.

At this point, I would like to pay special tribute to the late Mr Nazminali Hudda, who has today been posthumously recognised for his service to the Nizari Ismaili Muslim Community. It is deeply sad he is no longer with us, and I thank his family members for standing proudly in his place.

Today, we honour those who have achieved for their incredible service to medicine, botany and conservation, health and the law.

We honour those who have earned accolades for their tremendous work in the performing arts, broadcast media, and sport.

And we honour those who have served their individual communities with dedication and commitment, in many and diverse ways.

Your accomplishments differ, but I know that for each of you, today’s awards are the culmination of many years, even decades, of hard work and commitment, alongside an ability to think laterally, and face challenges or risks with impressive courage.

You have had to wear many hats in your lives, and be strong advocates in your industries or areas of interest, sharing your expertise and experience, and enabling others to learn from your example.

The effects of your efforts are therefore amplified and extend much further afield than you might imagine.

As role models, you are showing others what can be achieved, and helping encourage, shape and reinforce the ideals and aspirations we strive for as a nation, so I hope you continue to wear your pins and medals with pride.

On behalf of everyone in our State, I once again congratulate and thank today’s recipients for showing such exceptional dedication to service.

I now invite you to enjoy the hospitality of Government House, and I look forward to meeting you and discovering more about your work.