Fernberg Quarterly A QUARTERLY UPDATE FROM THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
NOVEMBER 2015
IN THIS ISSUE Christmas Lights display Government House goes regional
Re-imagining Fernberg’s public areas Origins of the Governor’s Standard
Popular Christmas Lights returns The gates of Government House will once again open to the public for the annual Christmas Lights display. Following the success of last year’s inaugural display which attracted 4000 patrons, the number of nights open to the public will be extended from 3 to 5. Members of the public can view the display from Friday 11 to Tuesday 15 December 2015 from 7 to 8 pm. Last year over 12,000 people visited Fernberg – the official residence of Queensland Governors since 1910 – including on Open Days, and on guided school and tour groups. Fernberg is this year 150 years old. Continues on page 3.
FERNBERG QUARTERLY • NOVEMBER 2015
Image: Commemorating Queensland Rail’s 150th year, students from Murri School, Brisbane, joined His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC and Mrs Kaye de Jersey on a steam train journey from Roma Street Station’s heritage platform on 7 October 2015.
From the Official Secretary W elcome to the final edition of Fernberg Quarterly for 2015.
It has as you can imagine been a momentous year for the Office of the Governor. It was a year in which each of the categories into which the Governor’s duties fall – constitutional, ceremonial and community – was strongly present. Constitutionally, there was the State election and swearing-in of the new Ministry. The Governor, now as the longest-serving State Governor, also assumed duty as Administrator of the Commonwealth on numerous occasions in the Governor-General’s absence. Ceremonially, the Governor led, as representative of the people of Queensland, the Anzac Day Dawn Service of Remembrance in Anzac Square in this significant Gallipoli anniversary year, and also opened the 55th Queensland Parliament in March.
Queenslanders. This included continuing support for Queenslanders affected by various natural disasters, and continuing to raise awareness of the scourge of domestic violence. Additionally, the Fernberg estate commemorated this year its sesquicentenary. These successes and progress made over the last year – succinctly outlined in the Office of the Governor annual report available on the www.govhouse.qld.gov.au website – is due in large part to the dedicated and professional Office of the Governor staff, and also to the able support we receive from a range of government agencies and other community organisations. I thank them all wholeheartedly. I encourage as many as possible to join with the community in celebrating the festive season by attending the second Government House Christmas Lights display from 11 – 15 December. We hope to see you there. Merry Christmas.
Crucially, in the community role, the Governor continued to support the work of charitable and community based organisations seeking to improve the welfare of all PAGE 2
Air Commodore Mark Gower OAM Official Secretary OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
Christmas Lights 11-15 December 2015 FREE ENTRY - GATES OPEN TO THE PUBLIC 7-8PM From page 1.
Opening times The gates will open to members of the public on 11-15 December from 7-8pm.
Entry points Entry is free via the Service Gate at 168 Fernberg Road, Paddington.
Parking Parking is available in the streets surrounding the estate (off Fernberg Road, Paddington). There is no on-site parking available.
Disability drop-offs Disability drop-off is available through the Service Gate at 168 Fernberg Road, Paddington - for assistance please phone 3858 5700.
FERNBERG QLD GOVERNOR QUARTERLY INSIGHTS • ISSUE 12, 2ND QUARTER 2015
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Origin of the Governor’s Standard Governors of Queensland have flown the Personal Standard since 1876. The Standard comprises a Union Jack with a white roundel in the centre featuring the Badge of the State of Queensland, a light blue Maltese Cross, surmounted by a Royal Crown and surrounded by a garland of laurel leaves. The design is attributed to Queensland’s Colonial Treasurer from 1874-76, William Hemmant. The general design of Standards for Governors of British Colonies was approved by Queen Victoria in 1869. The design for Governors of Queensland was gazetted on 25 November 1876. The first Queensland Governor to use the Standard was William Cairns.
Image: The Governor’s Standard
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Images: (below left) the Governor and Mrs de Jersey boarded a Royal Flying Doctor Service aircraft for a c Green Island.
First Regional Government House The State’s first ever Regional Government House was successfully held in Far North Queensland from 16-22 October 2015, with His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC, Governor of Queensland and Mrs Kay de Jersey conducting a busy and diverse program that included the fulfillment of constitutional, ceremonial and community duties from Cairns. In his first speech as Governor in July 2014, His Excellency made a commitment to do all he could to uphold and promote the advancement of Queensland and welfare of Queenslanders, and to be a Governor for all of Queensland, including the most remote and regional areas of the State, not just the most populated areas of the South East. The objectives of the Regional Government House were for the Governor to: • recognise, promote and encourage Queenslanders in regional areas; • be accessible, fostering unity and mutual respect; and • better understand the strengths, challenges and contributions of the regions to the State of Queensland. His Excellency and Mrs de Jersey’s 7-day program covered a wide spectrum of activities including: • investing Far North Queensland residents with Australian honours and awards; • participating in a Royal Flying Doctor Service clinic run to Aurukun to inspect the RFDS clinic, meet local community members and visit the local Men’s Shed to present awards; • receiving a briefing and overview of HMAS Cairns base by Royal Australian Navy representatives; • receiving a briefing and undertaking a tour of Ports North operations;
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
clinic run to Aurukun, Cape York; (above) in Aurukun, with members of the Local Advisory Group; (below right) on board the patrol vessel ‘Jakarra’ on the way to
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receiving a briefing and undertaking a tour of Cairns International Airport operations; officially launching the 2015 Crocodile Trophy – one of Australia’s most iconic mountain bike races; and the Peninsula School Sport Under 14 Boys Regional Cricket Championships; touring Queensland Police Service operations in Cairns and Aurukun; visiting primary, secondary and distance education schools and two universities; and inspecting key tourism attractions including the Daintree, Kuranda Skyrail and the Great Barrier Reef.
Queensland’s first ever pop-up Government House was held in Cairns in October 2015
Over 26 activities took the vice-regal couple from Cairns, to Kuranda and the Daintree in the north, to Aurukun on the Western Cape, to Gordonvale in the south and east to Green Island. The Governor also delivered 7 speeches, presented 28 awards, and fulfilled a number of duties as Administrator of the Commonwealth.
QLD GOVERNOR INSIGHTS • ISSUE 12, 2ND QUARTER 2015 FERNBERG QUARTERLY
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Re-imagining the public area Since Fernberg became the official vice-regal residence in 1910, the public areas of Government House have provided the setting for all manner of ceremonial, civic and community events. Successive Queensland Governors have done their utmost to make visitors and guests to Government House feel welcome and to enjoy their experience. Over the last 12 months, a number of changes have been made to the public areas of the estate to increase functionality and enhance the capacity of the Governor to fulfil important duties.
The Fernberg Room was refurnished in 2014. It is used for constitutional duties like Executive Council and as a small dining room .
Significantly, the installation of two accessible lifts, completed earlier this year, have enhanced access to the House, particularly for people with disabilities. The lower level of the House now features the Fernberg Room, which is used for important constitutional duties including Executive Council, and doubles as an intimate dining venue. Adjacent is the Fernberg
ancing access to Government
re installed in 2015 enh lkway and porte-cochere we wa d ere cov a , lifts ible ess acc Two with disabilities. House particularly for people
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OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
Photography by Best Photos
as of the Fernberg estate Library, used to welcome and meet guests in a relaxed setting. Both rooms were used as staff quarters until 1936, and one later served as a billiard room until being refurbished in 2014. On the upper level, the eastern balcony area now features a modern outdoor lounge setting, providing a beautifully relaxed environment - with a spectacular view - for small gatherings. The Pavilion on the Ridge (between the formal gardens and bushlands of the estate), has enjoyed a renaissance this past year as a meeting room, and as an ‘alfresco’ dining and entertainment venue, in its beautiful garden setting near the pool and tennis courts.
ly rd Room, the new Previously the Billia a es id ov pr rg Library refurbished Fernbe ts es gu re d space whe welcoming, relaxe can meet.
These changes have enhanced the amenity of Government House and allowed it to be used for a wider variety of purposes.
Over the last 12 months, a number of changes have been made to the public areas of the estate to increase functionality and enhance the capacity of the Governor to fulfil important duties... These changes have enhanced the amenity of Government House and allowed it to be used for a wider variety of purposes. Images: (right middle) the balcony extends east from the Drawing Room, providing a relaxed space for intimate occasions and acts as an overflow for larger functions; (right below) the Pavilion was tastefully refurbished in 2015 to provide a sophisticated tropical meeting space and dining room.
FERNBERG QLD GOVERNOR QUARTERLY INSIGHTS • ISSUE 12, 2ND QUARTER 2015
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@QldGovernor Tweets Sep 8 The Governor took time to talk to staff & students of #Cloncurry State School on their tour of #GovernmentHouse 2
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Sep 23 A further 14 extraordinary #Queenslanders conferred Australian Bravery Decorations this afternoon at Government House 9
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Oct 4 What an exciting night for Qld! #NRLGF Good luck to @brisbanebroncos and @nthqldcowboys 9
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Oct 28 Very honoured to announce the next #Qld Rhodes Scholar Ms Harriet Horsfall @QUTmedia @Aus_Rhodes congratulations! 21
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Contact: 07 3858 5700 Email: govhouse@govhouse.qld.gov.au www.govhouse.qld.gov.au twitter.com/QldGovernor www.facebook.com/QldGovernor PAGE 8
GOVERNMENT HOUSE QLD