Reception in support of the Queensland Military Historical Society - Professor Graeme Nimmo RFD address

Queensland Military Historical Society President, Ms Kate Drews; Vice-President, Mr David Swift and the Society Committee; Contributing Authors and Editor of the inaugural Queensland Journal of Military History; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen.

I begin by acknowledging the original custodians of the lands around Brisbane, the Turrbal and Jagera people, and extend my respectful greetings to Elders, past, present and emerging.

The Governor and I are delighted to welcome you to Government House this afternoon.

It is a particular pleasure for me because, as Joint Patron of the Queensland Military Historical Society with Major General Low Choy, it gives me an opportunity to publicly acknowledge and thank the Society for the contribution it has made, over almost four decades, to preserving the history and heritage of our armed forces.

I have taken a great interest in our nation’s military history since I was a schoolboy – both of my grandfathers fought in World War I; a great uncle died in the same conflict; my father served in the Royal Australian Airforce during World War II; and two of my siblings have also served. I was therefore delighted to be invited to accept the role of Joint Patron.

In that role, I have been very pleased to see the recent efforts to redefine and reinvigorate the society, and I congratulate the management committee, members and volunteers on the success achieved to date.

The new constitution and website, and today’s milestone launch of the inaugural Queensland Journal of Military History are all indicators of a re-energised society and I congratulate you on your significant contribution to furthering our collective understanding of our State’s military history.

The breadth of articles and topics covered in this inaugural volume – from the unknown military surveyors of early Queensland to the transition to imperial uniforms in colonial times, to name just a couple – serve to ignite conversations about our State’s rich military history, engaging new audiences and uncovering fresh insights.

Well done to everyone involved, and in particular, the contributing authors Emeritus Professor Darryl Low Choy, Mr Brian Rough, Mr Robin Franklin, Ms Amanda Wildie, Mr Roger Sak and Ms Naomi Simpson; and Journal Editor, Dr Geoff Ginn.

Another crowning achievement of recent years is the Society’s successful application to the Queensland Government’s Anzac Centenary grants program to secure funds to support the relocation to Fort Lytton National Park. What a ‘game changer’ that move represents!

First, it’s difficult to think of a more apposite home for this Society than the garrison built to protect Brisbane in 1880-81 – it is one of the most important sites in Queensland’s military history, but more importantly, it opens up countless opportunities to promote public interest, encourage research, develop the collection, and engage the community in commemorative and social activities.

We wish the Society every success as this exciting journey continues and look forward to meeting and speaking with you all this afternoon.

It now gives me great pleasure to invite President, Ms Kate Drews to come forward to receive the Certificate of Vice-Regal Patronage.