St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School Academic and Honours Awards Ceremony

Deputy Consul-General of Japan, Ms Chieko Masuda; School Council Chair, Mr Stephen Green and Directors; Principal Ms Toni Riordan and the leadership team; representatives of the St Aidan’s Foundation, Alumni and P&F Associations; teachers and staff; parents, family and friends; and of course, students. Good afternoon.

Thank you to Nephew Jahmarley Dawson for welcoming us to Country today. I too, would like to acknowledge 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 am delighted to be part of this very special celebration to recognise the outstanding academic achievements of the students of 2022, and in particular, I pay tribute to the Year 12 alumni who are joining us today.

To those of you who are receiving awards, congratulations!

I believe it is so important to see a school come together to share uplifting and inspirational occasions such as this, because bestowing awards goes far beyond acknowledging success itself—amazing though this is.

It is also an opportunity to reflect on the hard work, dedication and commitment it takes to excel at the highest level.

It demonstrates a drive to focus to attain goals, and to follow passions and dreams with courage and determination.

And it recognises that each of us are different—in our strengths, our approach to tasks and our sense of purpose.

I know St Aidan’s has a well-earned reputation for encouraging its girls and young women to reach their potential—embracing a foundational philosophy that stretches back over 90 years, but which is far from outdated in today’s fast-changing, complex world.

In fact, the Sisters who first established this school were incredibly forward thinking, because they understood that education goes beyond the purely academic, requiring all aspects of an individual to be nurtured and encouraged.

They believed, as the school does today, that you can be and do whatever you desire. What a powerful mantra!

This complete approach to learning means that each of you will emerge from your time at St Aidan’s as strong, socially-aware young adults, ready to make a positive contribution to the world, and prepared to tackle life’s challenges with confidence.

So, I again whole-heartedly congratulate each of today’s Academic and Honours Award recipients. Your efforts are truly remarkable, set an example for others, and show what success really requires.

You should all be immensely proud of your achievements—they are valued and appreciated.

And I know you join with me in thanking your teachers, parents, guardians and mentors for all they do to help you flourish.

It gives me tremendous optimism, as Governor of Queensland, to know that the young women I see before me will help our State improve and develop in so many varied and significant ways.

This is something to cherish and celebrate!

It gives me great pleasure to be part of today’s ceremony. Thank you.