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27th Governor of Queensland Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM

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Reception aboard the RSS Persistence

Deputy High Commissioner of Singapore, Mr Au Chun Long; The Right Honourable, the Lord Mayor of Brisbane City, Councillor Adrian Schrinner; Commander of the Third Flotilla for the Republic of Singapore Navy, Colonel Siswi Herlini; Commander, 1st Division Gallipoli Barracks, Major General Ashley Collingburn AM DSM; Combat Support Group RAAF Amberley, Air Commodore Robert Graham; Commanding Officer of the HMAS Moreton, Commander Rosemarie Apikotoa RAN; Australian and Singaporean defence personnel; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen.

I begin by acknowledging the Original Owners of the lands around Brisbane, the Jagera and Turrbal people, and pay my respects to their Elders past, present and emerging and to any First Nations people with us tonight.

My husband Graeme and I are honoured to be joining you this evening, onboard the magnificent RSS Persistence.

As Governor of Queensland, I am proud to welcome you to beautiful Brisbane—and pay tribute to those Singaporeans amongst us, who now call Queensland home.

Since 1999, when the RSS Persistence was launched, she has flown the flag high for her country, serving in multinational exercises and peace keeping missions all over the world.

Most recently, of course, she joined RSS Endurance, and members of the Australian Defence Force for the 10th “Exercise Trident” in the sea off Shoalwater Bay, which saw 1900 military personnel from both countries come together for essential ship-to-shore training. 

This ship’s capability, reliability and strength, together with the comradery forged by those who serve on her, are symbolic of the broader bonds that exist between our two countries.

Singapore and Australia have long enjoyed an effective and vibrant relationship that is grounded on mutual respect, and a shared vision for a peaceful and thriving region. 

Our bilateral connections encompass trade, investment and business, education, tourism, technology and defence—and we both recognise the immense importance of innovation and collaboration in forging new initiatives that will help us navigate the future.

Our state deeply values the influence and input of Singaporeans in our economic success, and for the richness they bring to our cultural and artistic experiences.

It is wonderful to see these close ties developing ever-more, and to know that the friendship that unites us—as members of the Commonwealth—is not just demonstrated tangibly, but through the warm connections between our people.

For those of you who are far from home, I hope that this evening gives you an opportunity to meet some of your compatriots, who are studying, working and living in Queensland. I also thank those with us tonight from the Australian Defence Force, for supporting this important strategic alliance between our countries.

Graeme and I are very much looking forward to touring RSS Persistence and we wish you fair winds and following seas on your journey onwards. Thank you.