Olympic and Paralympic Teams Welcome Home Queensland Celebration

Good morning, Premier, Minister, Lord Mayor, and of course our incredible Olympians and Paralympians here this morning, receiving the rapturous welcome you so richly deserve from a grateful state!

I begin by acknowledging the Original Custodians of the lands around Brisbane, the Turrbal and Jagera people, and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and to all First Nations people here this afternoon.

It is such an honour, and a great pleasure, to be here today to celebrate your sporting achievements and welcome you and your coaches, family and supporters who travelled with you home at last.

I was fortunate enough to represent Queensland in Paris for the Olympics, and can easily say it was among the proudest moments of my time as Governor, watching our athletes convert years –in many cases an entire lifetime – of sacrifice into a few moments of pain, effort, and in so many cases medal placements!

Importantly, for me and for the people of Queensland, I also spent time with those who will largely shape the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.

Their sole focus, other than cheering you on, was to gain a deep understanding of what worked, and didn’t work, about this magnificent event from your perspective.

More recently, Graeme and I have been fixed to our TV screen whenever possible, cheering on our Paralympians.

You have barely had time to return, recover and absorb the impact the Games had on you personally, but I feel confident in saying the impact you have had on us is profound and long-lasting.

Enjoy your time here among people who cheered you on from afar, and probably quite a few who hope to one day take your place on the Olympic podium. On behalf of all Queenslanders, congratulations – we are so very proud of you all. Bravo!