Government House Investiture Ceremony E, May 2023

Representing the Premier, Member for Bundamba and Assistant Minister for Hydrogen Development and the 50% Renewable Energy Target by 2030, Mr Lance McCallum MP; representing the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Jarrod Bleijie MP; Queensland Ambulance Service Commissioner Craig Emery ASM; Queensland Corrective Services Commissioner Paul Stewart APM; representing the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner, Acting Deputy Commissioner Joanne Greenfield; representing the Order of Australia Association, Queensland Branch, Mr Darryl Seccombe 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.

Welcome to Government House! It is a great privilege, as Governor of Queensland, to present Australian honours and awards.

I have only recently returned from the Coronation event of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, and it was an incredibly moving ceremony, with all its pomp and sense of occasion.

This afternoon’s ceremony may not entail quite as many historic rituals as the Coronation, but the long tradition of hosting formal investitures at Government House is deeply important to our State.

It enables me, on behalf of all Queenslanders, to congratulate and thank each one of you for your outstanding contributions to the community, which although may differ in detail, are connected by an incredible sense of dedication in the service of others.

This afternoon I have presented awards to those achieving excellence in our State’s Public Service, and in our Fire and Emergency, Ambulance and Corrections services.

And I have also bestowed honours on people working in our wider community, in areas such as tourism, Indigenous youth, performing arts, veteran support, medicine and health, and for many other not-for-profit groups and organisations. 

Each of you has proven that positive change is made possible by the actions of committed individuals.

In your own ways, in your own fields, you are helping to create stronger, more smoothly functioning and sustainable work and home places, where the systems and processes that underpin our society work for the betterment of all. 

Whether you are enhancing our public institutions and services, or working in a small local community, the wellbeing of others is at the heart of what you do.

To achieve at this highest of levels takes enormous passion and significant determination to strive for improvement. You have also demonstrated great vision, a strong, innate willingness to welcome input from those around you, and the ability to be malleable in the face of complex challenges.

It takes a special kind of person to put others first—to work for the greater good.

This comes with tremendous responsibility and requires the qualities of leadership that can reassure others in times of difficulty, while at the same time focussing on achieving results.

Many of you are called upon to provide your expertise to others, but I know you would give this guidance freely and liberally—in this way ensuring that those who are younger or less experienced learn from both your skills and your passion.  

This gives me tremendous hope, because it means that you are building a more resilient and inclusive Queensland, where more people are given the tools and skills they require to take advantage of opportunities and follow their dreams.

The medals you are receiving today are rich in symbolism, but what they represent most notably, is that your immense contributions to your community, your state and your nation—over many years—have not gone unnoticed.                                                                                 

You have earned our deepest respect, and so I encourage you to continue to wear your medals and decorations with pride.

I commend you for your efforts, and on behalf of all Queenslanders, I congratulate you, with heartfelt gratitude.

Please enjoy this momentous occasion—it is well deserved.