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27th Governor of Queensland Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM

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The Queen's Platinum Jubilee Medal Presentation Ceremony

Recipients, your family and friends; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon.

I begin by acknowledging the original custodians of the lands around Brisbane, the Turrbal and Jagera people, and pay my respect to Elders, past, present, and emerging. I extend that respect to any First Nations people here with us today.

I warmly welcome you to Government House as we celebrate this very special occasion – the presentation of The Queen's Platinum Jubilee Medal to these four remarkable individuals.

As recipients of the Victoria Cross, our nation’s highest military honour, or The Cross of Valour, Australia’s highest Australian Bravery Decoration, you have already earned the eternal pride and gratitude of our nation.

Today’s presentation of The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal is symbolic of the thanks of the wider Commonwealth and The Queen herself, who recognised selfless and devoted courage as the best of human qualities.

Herself a peerless exemplar of duty and service, Queen Elizabeth the Second was deeply loved and respected for her unwavering commitment to the Crown, the Commonwealth and to the people of Queensland.

Our State will long bear her imprint, through many Patronage links and through our people, who I know will continue to look to her as a shining example of courage, sacrifice and selfless devotion to duty.

The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal follows a long history of awarding medals to mark Royal Jubilees, with the first one awarded to mark the 50th anniversary of Queen Victoria’s reign in 1887.

Designed by Timothy Noad of the College of Arms, it features an image of The Queen with the Latin inscription ‘Elizabeth II Dei Gratia Regina Fid Def’ which stands for ‘Elizabeth II, By the Grace of God, Queen, Defender of the Faith.’

Made of nickel silver and produced at the Worcestershire Medal Service in Birmingham, it was The Queen’s instruction that the medal be awarded to living individual recipients of the Victoria Cross and the Cross of Valour.

It has been a great privilege for me to present you with The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medals today.

As the 27th Governor of Queensland, I am immensely proud to have served as a representative of Queen Elizabeth the Second in this State, and to now serve as a representative of His Majesty King Charles the Third. I am also proud to be Governor of a State that is home to such remarkable and courageous individuals as yourselves.

Characteristic of her selfless nature, it was The Queen’s wish that these medals be presented to you in her Platinum Jubilee year, and today, that wish has been fulfilled.

May you wear this medal with pride. Congratulations.