Kluthuthu Christian College Visit

Kluthuthu Christian College, Chair, Dr Avril Howard; Deputy Chair and Deputy Mayor, Cr Roy Chevathen; Principal, Mr Vernon Clark; Founding Visionary of the College, Mr Mark Howard; College Director, Ms Kaylene Jawai; Teachers and assembled school staff, parents, carers; boys and girls.

I begin by acknowledging the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we gather and pay my respects to your Elders, past, present and emerging and all First Nations people here today.

How wonderful to be in Napranum and meet you all where you live, and where you learn, here at this marvellous school, Kluthuthu Christian College.

I must say, one of the best parts about being Governor is visiting Queenslanders where they live – and schools pretty much top the list when it comes to my favourite places.

Every visit I make to a Queensland school is an opportunity for me to learn more about the history of our State; plus, I have the privilege of meeting the amazing teachers, staff and students like yourselves, and I am always so impressed!

I particularly enjoy meeting the young people in a town, or city, because you demonstrate so much of the enthusiasm and energy that drives your communities.

And a school that respects and celebrates its diversity of cultures and inclusive curriculum programs, as your does, gives us a glimpse inside the future of that community, where inclusiveness and acceptance are the normal way of things in Napranum.

I think one look around this room tells me all I need to know about what a wonderful community you live in, and what we can expect to find if we are lucky enough to visit here again!

Now, I think we should dispense will all the boring adult talk! 

I have been looking forward to reading to you from Government House’s very own children’s book, A Place for All Queenslanders.  

It tells the story of the native animals that inhabit the Fernberg Estate, where Graeme and I live, way down in Brisbane. 

Squirrel gliders Mac and Mary are among the many protected species that have made their home in our little patch of bushland, whose original custodians are the Turrbal and Jagera people.

We do our best to protect native animals like Mac and Mary from the outside world, meaning cars and feral animals and even the occasional tourist who wants an up-close selfie! 

You see, living in a big city like Brisbane, we don’t get much of a chance to interact with nature, like you do.

But let’s read the book and find out what happens to them, shall we? I hope you like the ending as much as I do.