Portugal National Day 2024

Ambassador of Portugal to Australia, His Excellency António Moniz; Honorary Consul for Portugal in Queensland, Ms Diana Lopes and members of the Consular Corps of Queensland; Member for Surfers Paradise, Mr John-Paul Langbroek MP; Councillor for Jamboree Ward, Councillor Sarah Hutton; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen.

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 the First Nations people who are with us this evening for this inspiring annual event.

I would first like to thank our hosts for their invitation to help mark this very special occasion, Portugal National Day.

It comes at a particularly festive time for me, as Governor of Queensland.

Just last week, I helped to celebrate Queensland Day, which marks 165 years since our state's official separation from New South Wales, made possible by Queen Victoria's signing in 1859 of the Letters Patent.

I also attended the Queensland Greats Awards ceremony, which recognises individuals who have significantly impacted our state's history and development, and who embody Queensland's spirit of independence, resilience, and entrepreneurial drive.

These people, who include sporting legends, Indigenous leaders, academics, philanthropists, and countless others who have made lasting contributions to our state, serve as inspirational role models, demonstrating the power of good citizenship and its impact on our lives.

Portugal, with its long and proud history, knows plenty about the power of individuals to change the world for the better.

The story of how a small nation on the Iberian Peninsula played such an impactful role in world history is well known to most of us here today. Indeed, many Queenslanders would know something of Portugal's role in shaping the world they inhabit.

They may know that Magellan, who commanded the first circumnavigation of the Globe in the 16th century, was Portuguese. World-changing discoveries don't come much bigger than proving the Earth is round!

Less well-known, perhaps, is the full extent of Portugal's so-called Age of Discovery when, in the 15th century mainly, under the leadership of Prince Henry the Navigator, Portuguese caravels explored uncharted territories, reaching Africa, India, Brazil, and beyond, and opened a sea route to India, bringing back riches and forever changing global trade.

Australia, too, has a long history of maritime exploration.

First Nations people are known to have made sea crossings many millennia years ago, while in more modern times we also claim a strong connection to exploration and discovery by European nations, from where many of our population's ancestors arrived.

There are other reasons to feel a simpatico between our people, not least in terms of the wonderful outdoor lifestyle our people enjoy thanks to our mostly mild winters and mainly pleasant summers — although some might say we like it a bit hotter here!

Portugal offers many delightful experiences to Queenslanders fortunate to visit there, not least — I'm told — its excellent surf breaks and historical points of interest.

But what we have here seems to also be attractive to many Portuguese, with many thousands visiting each year and many more residing here permanently.

I look forward to the chance to circumnavigate the room and hear more about Portugal and of course Queensland from the perspective of people who find themselves with a foot in both worlds.

A voyage of discovery that may not last as long as Magellan’s but well worth the undertaking, I’m sure.

Thank you.