Secret giveaway that Jeannette Young was about to be made Governor

Many expressed surprise when Jeannette Young was made Governor. But there was one thing she was doing months before the announcement that was a giveaway.

It was amusing to see that some people were surprised to hear that Dr Jeannette Young was named next Queensland Governor. Because we called it months ago on our Arts Confidential page.

Our evidence? The increasing appearances by Dr Young and sometimes her husband, fellow doctor Graeme Nimmo, at arts events.

Dr Jeannette Young. Picture: Mark Cranitch

Governor Paul de Jersey is a patron of the arts and of specific companies including Queensland Symphony Orchestra and Queensland Ballet.

In fact the QSO chairman Chris Freeman has arranged for the QSO to give him a private recital at Government House later this month to thank him for his support.

When Dr Young started to become a fixture at the orchestra, the ballet and other events months ago we predicted that she was a governor in training and it turned out to be true.

Not that she had never attended before but her attendance was certainly more frequent and more noticeable.

She was at in the Concert Hall at QPAC for QSO’s Epic Sounds on Saturday night looking quite gubernatorial.

Dr Jeannette Young with husband Professor Graeme Nimmo after it was announced that she will be the new Queensland Governor. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

It was an amazing concert featuring homegrown Queensland talent William Barton who is a didgeridoo master and an amazing musician and composer.

Dr Young seems to enjoy the arts which is just as well because it’s a vital part of the role.

Governor Paul de Jersey and wife Kaye still have a few concerts to attend though as he has agreed to stay on for a few extra months as Dr Young disentangles herself from her role as Queensland Chief Health Officer.