Graham Quirk reflects on his time as Brisbane Lord Mayor
There’s rarely been a dull moment for retiring Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk, who recalls tears during royal visits, a Middle East diplomatic near-incident, bizarre correspondence with a cat, photos with “naked magicians” and being involved in a “security breach”.
CM Insight
Don't miss out on the headlines from CM Insight. Followed categories will be added to My News.
IT has been my honour to have served the people of Brisbane as an elected representative of Brisbane City Council. I’ve strived to make our city an even better place to live and work and I hope most people agree that has occurred over the past eight years.
The life of an elected representative has rarely been dull and I’ve had tales to tell involving tears from royal visits, the magical powers of the lord mayor’s security swipe card, regular correspondence with a cat, a Middle East diplomatic near-incident and being recognised interstate by naked magicians — while fully clothed!
Adrian Schrinner officially sworn in as Brisbane’s 17th Lord Mayor
Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk’s legacy everywhere to be seen across the city
Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk sensationally quits politics
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh last visited Brisbane on a very hot day after the devastating 2011 floods.
I greeted them in the lord mayoral chains and gown and having gained a reputation for directness Prince Philip asked “Where did you get that gear from?” ”Your place,” I replied.
The tradition of the robes had come from London where the mayors also had judicial powers.
Later, while walking behind the royal couple greeting hundreds of wellwishers at South Bank, the Lady Mayoress and I came across a little girl who was crying her eyes out.
We asked what was the matter and she said, “that lady took my flowers”, while pointing to Queen Elizabeth.
In my early days as Lord Mayor, I was taking a staff tour of different premises and using the lord mayoral swipe pass to enter council workplaces.
I came to one floor where I had entered a door with no sign on it and was moving around and saying hello and realised I didn’t recognise anyone.
Having been a councillor for around 25 years before becoming Lord Mayor, I usually knew some staff.
After the penny dropped, I thought I would ask which division of council it was, only to be told it was the Queensland Department of Housing who were a tenant in Green Square.
So I said, “well, lovely to meet you all” and scurried off in a big hurry.
The security breach was most likely referred to the minister, but I heard nothing more of it. A bit of a case of red faces all around.
I’ve had correspondence with many thousands of people over the eight years as Lord Mayor and a regular is a cat that I exchange Christmas cards with.
The owner first wrote to me about a general matter and included references and quotes from her cat so I wrote back to Oliver the cat.
At the time, I thought that this would be a one-off and the end of the kitty correspondence.
To my surprise, I received a letter back from Oliver and we’ve continued to send Christmas cards even when Oliver left home for a while.
In the mid 1980s, as a young alderman, I held a courtesy call on behalf of lord mayor Sallyanne Atkinson with the Libyan representative, who was regarded as the right-hand man to Libyan leader Colonel Gaddafi.
I was a bit nervous to say the least and was handed a list of opportunities for conversation starters to apparently help me out.
The helpful questions to ask started with “how is the war going?”.
But nothing can replace the humour of the residents of Brisbane and a favourite moment is being recognised in Adelaide by the Naked Magicians, who have since gone on to international fame.
I was there a few years ago for a capital cities’ lord mayors meeting and was heading out for dinner when I heard someone yell out, “hey Quirky, how ya going and what are you doing here?”.
I turned around to see these two blokes in their undies on a busy Adelaide corner handing out flyers about their gig at the Adelaide Fringe Festival.
Before I could blink, there we were having a photo taken arm in arm, and I’m thinking “if this goes viral on social media I’ll never hear the end of it”.
Today, I will hand the lord mayoral reins over and I’m leaving while still fit and in good health.
However, there are significant demands on one’s family in these roles and upon reflection, Anne and I have decided that now is the time to go.
I’m extremely proud of what my team has achieved and confident that a vibrant and renewed team led by incoming Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner will have new and exciting plans to ensure Brisbane remains the best place to live and work.
So to Her Majesty, the Naked Magicians, Oliver the cat and to everyone I’ve had the pleasure of meeting, thanks for the privilege and the memories you’ve given me.
‘Spiritual duty’: Minister silent on heavenly housing solution
A priest whose flock sold its church to the government has backed a planned housing solution, but there’s no response from church or state.
Why psychs struggle to work in tropical paradise
As waiting lists for mental health care grow and grow, psychologists are leaving a beautiful beach filled region in droves. But what’s stopping them from staying?