Visit to Spinal Life Healthy Living Centre Woolloongabba

Spinal Life Australia CEO, Mr Mark Townend AM, Board Members and Executive; staff and clients; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen.

I begin by acknowledging the Original Custodians of the lands around Brisbane, the Turrbal and Jagera people, and paying my respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and to all First Nations people here today.

Thank you all for your kind welcome.

As Patron of Spinal Life Australia, I am delighted to be with you this morning, on the United Nations’ International Day of People with Disability—which each year gives us the opportunity to reflect on, and celebrate, the contributions of people in our community who live with disability, and those who support them with such dedication.

The 2024 UN theme focusses on the mission to see more people with disability becoming leaders in our workplaces and communities, with the overarching quest to create an increasingly inclusive future that benefits all.

It is therefore so fitting that we are meeting here—in this incredible Spinal Life Healthy Living Centre—because its fundamental and driving purpose is to encourage greater independence for those living with spinal cord damage and other physical disabilities.

With its advanced equipment, highly capable staff, and its collaborative approach—the Centre is an accessible, safe place that offers tailored programs based on the specific requirements and goals of each individual.

The knowledge, expertise and commitment contained within these walls is truly impressive, and I know that the work being done here is making a significant difference to the lives of those the organisation serves.

What is most significant perhaps, is that this Centre—and, in fact the foundational ethos of Spinal Life Australia itself—is to empower people with disability to be part of the decisions being made about them, to gain more confidence, and to advocate for a future that better represents their own needs.

All of this ties in so beautifully with the UN theme, because this transformative attitude is developing the leaders our society needs—those individuals with considerable skills, capabilities and passion, whose contributions make our State not only stronger, but far richer.

It makes me so proud to see the positive effects these efforts are having on Queenslanders, and it is with my deepest gratitude that I commend the Spinal Life Australia Board, Executive, and all staff, for all you do—each and every day—to further this cause.

I also applaud all of the amazing members and supporters who champion Spinal Life Australia’s efforts in so many valuable and beneficial ways.

And, finally, I thank those here today who use the services provided by Spinal Life Australia. I am very much looking forward to hearing your stories, and to touring this remarkable Centre.