Queensland Library Foundation End-of-Year Celebration

President of the Queensland Library Foundation, Helen Brodie; Chair of the Library Board of Queensland, Professor Andrew Griffiths; State Librarian, Vicki McDonald; staff and supporters of the State Library and the Queensland Library Foundation.

 

I acknowledge the traditional custodians of these lands, the Turrbal and Jagera peoples, and extend my heartfelt respectful greetings and best wishes to Elders.

 

Graeme and I are delighted to join you all for tonight’s end-of-year celebration of the Queensland Library Foundation.

 

Nineteen eighty-eight was a significant year for Queensland.

 

On the eve of the official opening of Expo 88 by Her Majesty The Queen – whom I am so honoured to represent, the State Library of Queensland opened the doors of its new premises here at South Bank.

 

It was quite a spectacle to view the cultural precinct from the monorail loop!

 

Just one month later, in May 1988, the Queensland Library Foundation was launched to the public.

 

Both events heralded a significant new chapter for public libraries and information services in Queensland.

 

Since that time, the Foundation, through its generous donors and supporters, and dedicated staff and Board, has played a central role in maintaining and expanding the services and collections of the State Library of Queensland.

 

When reading your most recent annual report, I was just amazed at the remarkable variety of initiatives the Foundation supports: providing additional resources, funding new acquisitions, giving children greater access to information, and capturing and sharing with all Queenslanders the knowledge and culture of Queensland’s First Nations peoples.

 

And speaking of new acquisitions, I am excited to be making my first official deposit to the State Library’s collection next week – a new children’s book, published by Government House, about a family of squirrel gliders who live on the Fernberg estate.

 

As Governor, I am deeply honoured to come here tonight to thank the many generous individuals and organisations assisting the State Library to achieve its vision of “inspiring possibilities through knowledge, stories and creativity”.

 

I am also delighted to officially announce I have enthusiastically accepted the invitation to become Patron of the Queensland Library Foundation.

 

Thank you to everyone for your support of the Foundation, and the State Library. I wish you all a most rewarding conclusion to 2021, and an enjoyable evening in wonderful company.

 

It is now my great honour to present this certificate of Patronage to the President, Ms Helen Brodie.