Reception in support of Cystic Fibrosis - Acting Governor Address

Delivered by Acting Governor the Honourable Chief Justice Helen Bowskill

Cystic Fibrosis Queensland Company Secretary, Ms Connie Arundel and Chief Executive Officer, Ms Petrina Fraccaro; staff; supporters; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen.

I begin by acknowledging the first owners of the lands and waters around Brisbane, the Turrbal people and the Jagera people, and pay my respects to their ancestors and Elders, for their wisdom and leadership, in speaking for and looking after these lands and waters in the past and today.

As Acting Governor, I am thrilled to welcome you all to Government House to shine a much-deserved light on a dedicated organisation that has been supporting and advocating for those who suffer with Cystic Fibrosis since 1960.

Every May is Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month, and like all active and forward-looking organisations, Cystic Fibrosis Australia, and in our state, Cystic Fibrosis Queensland, work conscientiously to raise awareness of this debilitating condition, in the hope of garnering a range of resources to assist those who live their lives with the burden that cystic fibrosis imposes upon them.

The Cystic Fibrosis Queensland story goes back a long way, but its mission has continued to evolve and move with the times.

More than just a service provider, today, its members advocate, educate, fund much needed research, subsidise equipment and activities, and serve the cystic fibrosis community in a wide range of very practical ways.

This is an incredible organisation doing a mighty job in support of sufferers of cystic fibrosis. Hundreds of projects at a cost of over $6 million Australia-wide have helped pave a way forward to longer life expectancy through more advanced treatment regimens and care.

Cystic Fibrosis Queensland undertakes all of this, relying on fundraising for 90% of its income, which is both a remarkable feat and an ongoing challenge.

With community awareness, fundraising goals can be set and achieved. And that awareness raising constitutes one of the purposes of our gathering this evening.   Another of course is to thank those who are involved in this important organisation.

How wonderful to be able to acknowledge Cystic Fibrosis Queensland for their work – for indeed, yours is one of Australia’s largest and oldest organisations supporting people living with chronic illness.

Cystic fibrosis is the most common, life-limiting genetic condition affecting Australians.  Approximately 3,500 people in Australia live with this condition, that causes debilitating physical ailments, requiring daily intensive therapy and can also lead to secondary health conditions.  Although there is no cure, advances in treatment and care are helping people to better manage the illness and today there are far better outcomes for a child born with cystic fibrosis. 

It is only through awareness of the effects of cystic fibrosis that we can possibly begin to understand the difficulties associated with this debilitating condition.  And to appreciate the singular importance of contributing to the funding for ongoing research and development of treatments.

So tonight, I applaud Cystic Fibrosis Queensland for its continued dedication to working with, and for, those fighting cystic fibrosis. And I encourage anybody with an ability to do so, to support the fundraising goals of Cystic Fibrosis Queensland.

Thank you for your ongoing commitment and support, and please enjoy the hospitality of Government House.