2015 ROYAL SHOW OPENING

Saturday 19th September, 2015

Senator The Honourable Bridget McKenzie, Senator for and representing the Prime Minister of Australia

The Honourable Jaala Pulford, Minister for Agriculture & Regional Development

Consuls-General

Mr Stephen Spargo, President, Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria and Dr Jill Spargo

Mr Mark Sullivan, Chief Executive Officer, Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria

Distinguished guests

Ladies and gentlemen

First, I acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we are gathering and pay my respects to their elders, past and present, and to any Elders with us today.

We are delighted to be here this morning to open the 2015 Royal Melbourne Show. It is a privilege I would not have anticipated a year ago as I watched the Show’s opening on the nightly news. But it brings together so much of what I am enjoying about this new role.

First, this event underscores for me the rich history of my position.

I can share with you that the sense of history was brought home to me, first, on the night we moved into Government House. I walked around the House…..more accurately, a tiny part of the House, and was struck by the sense of what would be our temporary custodianship of it, following in the steps of the families who had moved in and out since the late 1870’s.

I feel that same sense of lineage and history today. It is an uplifting (and humbling) thought that Governors before me have opened this Show, in an annual tradition dating back for well over one hundred years.

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We often talk with pride about living in Melbourne, the world’s most liveable city. And we talk fondly about our community events. Which event could be more lovingly etched into Victorian hearts and minds than this Show.

I enjoyed it with my parents, and later enjoyed it as a parent with my own children. And I recall my excitement when my parents considered it a suitable event as a foray into more independent outings, for me as a teenager with my friends. And then in adult life, it has offered me the chance to pause and reflect on the wonderful and varied exhibits.

That aspect of a family friendly event, a wholesome event, and one that offers so much to so many of different age-groups and backgrounds, is one reason why the Show is so important to us.

I have always been aware that regional Victoria makes a significant contribution to our economy and culture. But even after only a short time as Governor, and after having completed the first of what will be many Regional Tours, my personal understanding and appreciation of that contribution has grown remarkably.

I visited the Central-Goldfields and Loddon shires. I was struck by the dedication of the local Shire Mayors, Councillors and staff, and the many challenges….climatic, economic and social….with which they were faced.

I saw firsthand the importance of strong local communities, the importance of regional development, the role of agriculture and agribusiness, and the need for those in the regions, like all of us I suppose, to be nimble and responsive to massive community and business changes.

My learning about regional Victoria will continue and expand with upcoming visits. But I reflect today that, for a girl born in the city, my earliest learning started right here – at the Show - and I suspect that is common to many Victorians.

The strength of this event is that for 11 days, it showcases the very best from across this State in so many ways.

The Show allows our growers and producers to show off their wares. Products of their own hard work from the land, be it from pumpkins to the belted Galloway in the pavilion. Their contribution to this State’s agricultural and economic success should not go unnoticed, and the Show enables us to celebrate them.

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We are treated too, to the very best of Melbourne eateries in pop-up form, hair-raising rides you won’t see me go near, and arts and crafts produced by the most creative minds and clever hands.

Then there are the scones and cakes!

Finally, may I say that I am delighted to have become the Patron of the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria.

I look forward to learning even more about the extremely valuable events and programmes run by the Society, conscious already of the tireless work it undertakes, and which contributes so directly to our prosperity.

I also look forward to attending the Women in Agriculture Luncheon in a couple of days’ time, and commend the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria for the leadership it has shown in fostering the role of women in agriculture.

So, finally, it now gives me great pleasure to officially announce the 2015 Royal Melbourne Show open!

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