Reception in support of the National Youth Science Forum 2025 Year 12 Program

Queensland Chief Scientist, Professor Kerrie Wilson; Vice-Chancellor and President, The University of Queensland, Professor Deborah Terry AC; Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), University of Southern Queensland, Professor John Bell; Chief Executive Officer, National Youth Science Forum, Dr Melanie Bagg; Distinguished guests; Ladies and gentlemen; and perhaps most importantly, student selectees!

I begin by acknowledging the Original Custodians 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 this afternoon.

I am delighted to welcome you to Government House, as we celebrate the passion we all share for the transformative potential of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

To the students among us — congratulations for being accepted into the National Youth Science Forum Year 12 Program for 2025!

It is a significant achievement to be selected for inclusion in such a long-running, well-regarded and highly beneficial initiative.

In January, you will take part in an experience that will give you the rare and valuable opportunity to gain a greater understanding of what the world of STEM offers — and how diverse the study and career pathways can be.

You will engage in a wide range of fun activities, where you will learn more about the inspirational work being done through cutting-edge research and have the chance to interact with the industry professionals who are leaders in their fields.

The connections and friendships you will make over this time will be immensely valuable and hopefully underscore how heavily careers in STEM rely on effective collaboration.

I hope that this experience will turbo-charge your commitment to a career in the sciences, where critical thinking and innovation are both vital to solving the big issues confronting us. 

The National Youth Science Forum truly is an amazing program, but it wouldn’t exist were it not for the hard work and determination of many.

For over 40 years, its foundational partner, Rotary, has been supporting young people from all backgrounds and locations across our state in their quest to follow their dreams, offering them practical and financial assistance.

So, on behalf of Queenslanders, I express my tremendous gratitude to our Rotary Clubs for their dedication to the future of our state.

I also thank the other partners and supporters, paying special tribute to the tertiary institutions — and particularly our state’s host, the University of Queensland — which does so much to encourage our up-and-coming scientists.

I am grateful to the schoolteachers who have ignited the spark of scientific interest in their students.

And finally, I commend and applaud the efforts of the National Youth Science Forum itself — the Board, staff and volunteers — who believe so deeply in the importance of STEM fields for our state and country.

Students, I hope you will develop a lasting commitment to this career path, because as a doctor and as Governor, I have witnessed the life-changing outcomes that this area of study makes possible.

In the meantime, I am pleased to present each of you with a Governor’s Medallion as a memento of this occasion.

Thank you.