Visit to the Murri School

Good morning, Elders Uncle Cheg Egert, Aunty Fran McDonald, and Aunty Kathy Williams; Co-Chairs of the Governing Body, Aunty Mary Graham and Mr Kaava Watson; Principal, Ms Tanya Saltner; staff, students and members of the wider school community, thank you for that very special Welcome to Country and performance.

I too, would like to acknowledge the original custodians of the lands around Brisbane and their continuing connection to land, waters and sky. I pay my respects to Elders, past, present and emerging, and would like to specifically acknowledge your School and Community Elders and all First Nations people here today.

It was an absolute honour to be greeted by The Murri School students on my very first day as Governor of Queensland when I arrived at Government House.

I was also delighted that several of your staff and students could be involved in the unveiling of our new flagpoles at Government House during Reconciliation Week. They will be a new home for us to fly the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags proudly alongside the Queensland and Australian flags, as recognition of First Nations people and a public commitment toward reconciliation.

Today, the honour continues as I have the privilege of visiting your wonderful school, and I’m so thrilled to be here.

It has been a very challenging few years with COVID-19 and the floods impacting our State, but Queenslanders have always been very resilient. 

I understand your school was affected by the heavy rains earlier this year, with your early years classrooms and library sustaining water damage, and I’m so pleased to see the work that has been done to get them up and running again. Your resilience is a true testament to the Queensland spirit.

Your school, as I am sure you all know, is a very special school, and many of you travel a long way to be part of this community, with five buses everyday bringing students from as far as Wynnum, Redbank Plains, Logan and Inala… What dedication!

I am told that your school has a very big focus on healthy eating, exercise and literacy. I am passionate about each of these things, and I commend both teachers and students for your commitment to being your best selves. Keep up the good work!

I was also very pleased to hear about other unique aspects of your school such as your time spent ‘going on country,’ and storytelling with your Elders.

Each of these distinctive endeavours is demonstrated through your school’s motto “Our Children, Our Culture, Our Future”.  I applaud you all for upholding an environment where traditional cultures, education and health work hand-in-hand.

I urge you all to make the most of the opportunities offered to you here at The Murri School. To always do your best in the classroom, at home, and ‘on country’, and to make sure you are always thoughtful and kind to your friends, family and teachers.

Finally, I thank the teachers and staff for your devotion to your students, and I look forward to visiting the Prep, Year 1 and 2 students shortly to read a special book about Government House called ‘A Place for All Queenslanders’.

Thank you.