Reception in support of the National Council of Women of Queensland

National Council of Women of Queensland President, Ms Sandy Smith and members of the Management Committee; Youth Governor, Mr Jordan Engel; 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 this afternoon.

As Governor of this wonderful state and Patron of the National Council of Women of Queensland, I am delighted to host this reception in support of the work that you undertake to advance the standing of women in a wide range of spheres. Encouraging women to participate in all aspects of community life and raising the awareness of members as to their rights and responsibilities as citizens is certainly a valuable mission to sustain.

The Council boasts an expansive history of advocating for women across a wide spectrum of issues since its establishment in 1905 and your relevance has not waned. In fact, your impact in empowering, educating and engaging with women of all ages has only grown exponentially.

The Council has consistently voiced issues and concerns for women at all levels, from gender equality, the advancement of human rights and the importance of education; to economic independence, the environment and sustainability, the importance of health and wellbeing, and so much in between.

There has been a lot of focus over the past year in particular on girls and STEM and the movement to entice girls into what have traditionally been classed as male domains. We know that this trend continues to gather speed, and it is fabulous to see these growing numbers.

Artificial intelligence has also been a headline act, and Council members have been quick to enter the debate, acknowledging that while AI offers so much in the way of support and assistance in a huge range of fields, we also must be very mindful of its ethical use and the challenges it presents – in the education sector in particular.

Of course, the education of women has, and always will be, of the utmost importance for the NCWQ. The power of an education cannot be overstated, and through your Bursary Program, many women are able to embark upon and continue their tertiary studies, equipping them with the knowledge and skills that lead to their economic independence.

Your work on behalf of women will always be important. Women supporting women is powerful, as we well know. It is inspiring to witness the reach of the National Council of Women of Queensland, and I am very proud to be your Patron.

Thank you.