Reception in Support of Foodbank Queensland 2024

Minister for Education and Minister for Youth Justice, the Honourable Di Farmer MP; Director-General of the Department of Treaty, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Communities and the Arts, Ms Clare O’Connor PSM; Foodbank Queensland Chair,
Mr Mike Hill and Chief Executive Officer, Ms Jess Watkinson; staff and supporters; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen.

I begin by acknowledging the Traditional Owners 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.

Graeme and I welcome you all to Government House this afternoon. In the year since we last gathered here in support of Foodbank Queensland, this remarkable organisation has been working hard in our communities to help those who are experiencing food insecurity.

It has ensured that its 300 frontline member charities receive the fresh food and grocery supplies they need to feed the many thousands of struggling Queenslanders who seek help.

It has enabled children in 300 schools state-wide to consume a healthy, nutritious breakfast before they begin their learning for the day.

And it has provided an estimated 26 million meals to people in need across our State.

These statistics are incredibly impressive, but they also serve to highlight the fact that hunger remains a significant issue for many Queenslanders.

Financial challenges, domestic violence, homelessness and myriad other catalysts can cause hardship that transcends social and cultural backgrounds, and this means that many are not able to access food for themselves or their families—which of course is fundamental to life.

In fact, we know that food stress and hunger affect 1 in 5 Queensland households, and this sobering statistic becomes even more confronting, with the knowledge that many of these households contain young, vulnerable children—a problem that is felt the hardest in our regional and remote areas.

This dire need led to Foodbank Queensland’s creation back in 1995, and has remained the driving force behind its activities almost 30 years later, when demand, sadly, still outstrips supply.

As our State’s largest hunger relief charity, Foodbank Queensland not only feeds the body, but importantly, feeds the soul—enabling people to regain a sense of control and dignity over their lives, and to know that they are not alone in their struggles.

And with so much of our food going to waste each year, the support of our grocery companies alongside our primary producers – many of whom are navigating their own challenges – is not only enormously beneficial to our environment, but also helps channel healthy food and necessities to those who are ready to gratefully receive and utilise them.

Everyone here this afternoon should be very proud of these outstanding achievements.

Each of you is helping to make Foodbank into the strong, dynamic organisation it is today.

And so, as Patron of Foodbank Queensland and Governor of this State, I thank all of the member charities, food and grocery donors, financial donors, ambassadors, volunteers, supporters, and of course, the Board and staff of Foodbank, for providing life-saving assistance to Queenslanders in need.

It is deeply reassuring that you continue to work, with such outstanding commitment and dedication, to ensure Queenslanders do not go hungry.

Thank you.