Rhodes Scholarship Luncheon

Good afternoon.

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.

I always consider it a privilege to host the Rhodes Scholarship Queensland Selection Committee members and shortlisted candidates at Government House for this annual luncheon. I so enjoy my role as Chair of Rhodes Scholarship Queensland and the opportunity it affords to be in your company. So, welcome one and all.

The candidates who come before the committee are always exceptional, very eager to take up this life changing opportunity. The Rhodes Scholarship is awarded on merit, and today we are among some of the most meritorious young minds and characters our State has to offer.

Of course, academic excellence is high on the list of the selection criteria, but so too, are moral standing, courage, kindliness, teamwork, and leadership. All qualities you embody.

Enjoying a long history, the Rhodes Scholarship program continues to seek out those with vision and purpose, intellect and character, diversity and a sense of duty. No doubt you are here today because you have revealed these qualities already and have shown yourself worthy of being able to expand on such qualities within a global framework.

I congratulate you all on reaching this stage of the program. Yes, there is more to do. In the upcoming interviews you will detail further what it would mean for you to become a Rhodes Scholar and what the future might look like when you put that scholarship to work. However, named or not, your worth is still acknowledged, and your current success still stands. We recognise you all as exceptional.

As the Rhodes Trust declares, ‘When different people come together in a shared spirit, exciting new things begin.’

I wish each of you much success wherever your paths take you and recognise the difficult work of the Selection Committee in its decision-making. Thank you.