Weipa Community Morning Tea

Weipa Town Authority Chair, Mr Michael Rowland and Members, ladies and gentlemen of the Weipa community and surrounds, a very warm welcome to you all.

I 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.

Graeme and I are delighted to be visiting Cape York Peninsula for the first time during my term as Governor, and we thank you for making us feel so welcome here in Weipa.

Visiting Queenslanders where they live is one of my key pledges as Governor, so I am so pleased to have spent this past week travelling to some of the wonderful remote communities in the wider region.

I’ve met some amazing people and learnt so much about life, community, business and family up here.

I’m also very pleased to be spending more time in Weipa, which plays such an important role in Cape York’s successes.

Your town provides vital services and essential modern facilities to those who call this region home and is also a major gateway for people travelling further north.

It’s a fascinating place—where the stories of the traditional owners, relatively recent news of bauxite discoveries here, and the living history of Weipa’s growth as an important, thriving regional hub are intertwined.

Residents and visitors can enjoy the natural beauty of Weipa’s lakes, waterways and beaches, as well as fun recreational activities, including outstanding fishing and boating.

They can also experience the rich cultural traditions celebrated here, some of which are expressed through the artworks on show at the Western Cape Cultural Centre, where we will be touring after lunch.

Having met with the Weipa Town Authority earlier, I know there are plans to further enhance what’s on offer, and to develop more opportunities for locals.

This is important, because Weipa makes a significant contribution to the prosperity of our entire State, and it is so important that all of you living here feel supported and encouraged, despite being located so far from our major centres.

This afternoon, Graeme and I are looking forward to visiting the Western Cape College, where I look forward to meeting with students and staff.

I’m always so happy to see big smiles on children’s faces when they are having fun while learning, and promoting literacy among all young people in this State is another of my key pledges as Governor.

Before we leave, we’ll also be meeting some people out in the community, as well as visiting the Rio Tinto Mine, which, as you are well aware, is such a significant contributor to the local economy.

Yours is a community that celebrates its diversity, values its heritage and promotes ongoing close connections among its people.

You should all be very proud of what you have achieved here—even when times have been tough—and I thank each of you for contributing to the vitality, success and wellbeing of the town and its residents.

We can’t wait to chat and discover more!