Investiture Ceremony - 10 May, 2022 (10am)

I begin by acknowledging our official guests; Representing the Commander, 1st Division and Deployable Joint Force Headquarters, Australian Army, Brigadier Dean Thompson CSC; Representing the Commanding Officer, HMAS Moreton, Royal Australian Navy, Lieutenant Commander Craig Flynn; Representing the Chair, Order of Australia Association, Mrs Ronda Nix OAM.

May I also acknowledge the traditional owners of the lands on which we gather, the Turrbul and Jagera people, and pay respect to their Elders past and present, and emerging. I would also like to extend my respect to any First Nations people here with us today.

Award recipients, your family and friends, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome all.

I am absolutely delighted that you are here to join us on this very special day as we recognise these extraordinary Queenslanders here before me.

Recipients of Australian Honours and Awards are part of an exclusive group of great contributors to the world around us. I would like to offer our sincere congratulations to today’s most honoured guests – recipients across the fields of Defence, Social Welfare, Education, Nursing, Charitable Organisations, Arts, Environmental Law, Medicine and Community Service.

The room in which we gather is known as the Investiture Room, because it is purpose built for conducting these investiture ceremonies. These are the first ceremonies that we have been able to conduct as a group, in this Investiture Room, since 2019, due to COVID-19 restrictions.

During the pandemic we were required to adapt, like so many of us have, to a format with a reduced group capacity. Now that we are able, it needs to be said how brilliant it is to celebrate these occasions with all recipients together, along with your collective friends and family.

I believe today is a great opportunity for individual recipients to also witness the achievements of your colleagues and peers, and celebrate this great occasion together.

As Governor of Queensland, and the representative of our Head of State, Her Majesty the Queen, I commend you for your efforts and your service to our community. 

Australian Honours and Awards are a vital component of our social fabric. No matter which part of our country you come from and no matter what your background is, the Honours and Awards help define, encourage and reinforce national aspirations, ideals and standards by identifying people who make an outstanding contribution to society.

On behalf of all Queenslanders, I thank you for your fantastic achievements. I ask you to wear these physical symbols of your awards with pride, as we are all proud of you. Please, don’t let them gather dust!

As we conclude the formalities, we invite you to enjoy the hospitality of Government House. I look forward to meeting and speaking with you all shortly.

Thank you.