Reception in support of Foodbank Queensland

Foodbank Queensland Chair, Mr Mike Hill; CEO, Ms Sara Harrup, staff; supporters; 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 to any First Nations people here today.

It is a pleasure to host you this evening at Fernberg, to celebrate and thank Foodbank Queensland’s major supporters.

Graeme and I acknowledge the importance of Foodbank, as the charity behind the charities – more than 300 frontline ‘Member Charities’ in fact, ranging from large service providers to small community groups and shelters right across the State.

As Patron of Foodbank Queensland, I recognise the support of Foodbank’s impact partners, and their financial and food donors who help them provide food relief to more than 150,000 vulnerable Queenslanders each week.

Since 1995, you have supported our community during times of distress, caused by financial hardship and through disasters such as floods and drought.

By sourcing and distributing millions of kilograms of food from farmers, manufacturers and retailers you have played a crucial role in combatting hunger, through distributions to 350 Food Relief Charities and 300 School Breakfast Programs state-wide.

Last year alone, your organisation rescued food that would otherwise have gone to landfill, saving the equivalent of over 26 million kilos of CO2 emissions. This is a truly admirable achievement, well done.

In April last year, I was fortunate to tour the Morningside Foodbank Centre and meet some of your remarkable volunteers, whose dedication to support their fellow citizens was inspiring.

It also my honour this evening to acknowledge the devotion of Ms Sara Harrup, who has captained Foodbank as CEO for the last three years.

Ms Harrup will retire from her position at the end of this month, after working passionately and collaboratively with your strong leadership team, strengthening partnerships and strategically responding to new challenges. I wish Ms Harrup deservedly good fortune, in her new directorial venture.

To the food and grocery donors, financial donors, staff, volunteers and Foodbank’s Charity Ambassadors, I sincerely thank you on behalf of all Queenslanders for the wonderful work you have done, and continue to do.          

Thank you.