Queensland Governor Paul De Jersey hosted Queensland outback mayors and representatives from Western and Central Queensland at Government House this week as recognition of their hospitality during the Governor’s regional tours.
Listed amongst the attending guests were Diamantina Shire Council Mayor Geoff Morton, Boulia Shire Council Mayor Ric Britton, Barcaldine Regional Council Mayor Rob Chandler, Barcoo Shire Council Mayor Bruce Scott and Longreach Regional Council Mayor Ed Warren. The guests stayed overnight at the Government House estate and attended a formal dinner.
In an address to his guests Governor Paul De Jersey emphasised the importance of the event,
“Kaye’s and my intention in inviting the guests was twofold: firstly, we wanted, in a memorable and special way, to repay the hospitality so generously afforded to us during Regional Government in October last year.
“Visiting the towns they represent – all nine of them, Longreach, Ilfracombe, Jundah, Windorah, Muttaburra, Bedourie, Birdsville, Boulia, and Winton – has been a real highlight of this governorship, and we thank them most genuinely for their enthusiastic participation in the Regional Government House initiative.
“The second reason we invited them here, is because Kaye and I presumed that they all represent the enduring, vitally uplifting regional identity so crucial to defining the psyche of our State.” He said.
The Governor embarked on the State’s first ever regional tour of Government House in October 2015 with the aim of advancing the welfare of Queenslanders in regional and remote areas. The tour had a focus on Northern Queensland and set a historic record with the first ever Regional Government House held in Cairns.
In 2016, Government House repeated the new tradition by relocating to Longreach as an operational base during Government House renovations. The Governor travelled more than 5,000 kilometres visiting regional areas over the week.
The Governor and Mrs de Jersey have also hosted similar formal dinners for representatives from the Gulf, North and Far North Queensland regions.