Sunshine Coast Open House

Sunshine Coast Council Mayor, Councillor Mark Jamieson and Councillors;  Sunshine Coast Open House Chair, Mr Lindsay Clare and Ambassador, Dr Noel Robinson; Secretary of the Kabi Kabi Peoples Aboriginal Corporation, and spokesperson for the Native Title holders, Mr Brian Warner; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen. 

I too would like to begin by acknowledging the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we gather, and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and to all First Nations people here today. 

I am honoured to be with you this morning for the launch of Sunshine Coast Open House.  

As Joint Patrons of Sunshine Coast Open House, both Grame and I take a special interest in this wonderful initiative that foregrounds the diverse and interesting array of architectural design to be found in this beautiful part of Queensland. 

This is my first engagement with Sunshine Coast Open House since taking up my role as Governor, with the event in 2022 coming at a time of mourning for our late Queen. However, I am very glad to be able to be here this year. 

I suspect that the Open House weekend planned for October, featuring 30 historic and contemporary buildings from Caloundra to the Hinterland and Pomona and Cooran, will continue the enormous success of past such events.  

There is great interest by residents and visitors alike to engage with the built environment, to understand the heritage of the area and to play a part in sharing community needs and wants – all through an architectural lens. 

An appreciation for human endeavour in the environmental space has existed for a long time. Now, with the Open House concept which is part of a worldwide network, new and old buildings of interest due to design, sustainability, engineering or history can be explored, understood and admired.  

Venturing past their public faces is a privilege, and certainly allows for more in-depth appreciation. 

From the iconic to the cutting edge, from the old to the new, from the popular to the little-known, the structures and domains of the Sunshine Coast are of interest to many.  

Bringing the Open House program to fruition takes tremendous work and commitment.  

On behalf of Queenslanders, and as proud Patron, I thank the Sunshine Coast Open House Committee, staff, volunteers and supporters and in particular, the Sunshine Coast Council, for their efforts in this regard. 

It’s now my pleasure to officially open this year’s Sunshine Coast Open House program and present a Certificate of Vice-Regal Patronage to Sunshine Coast Open House Chair, Mr Lindsay Clare. I wish you every success.