Dr Jeannette Young sworn in as 27th Qld Governor after Paul de Jersey’s tearful farewell
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk took to the stage to address Her Excellency Dr Jeannette Young as she was sworn in as the 27th Governor of Qld, saying the state will never know “how many lives you have saved”.
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Her Excellency Governor Dr Jeannette Young has officially been sworn in as the state’s 27th Governor.
She addressed the Chief Justice and took the Oath of Allegiance and of Office around 2pm on Monday.
She completed her proclamation before a fanfare was played from the balcony of Parliament by the Australian Army Band Brisbane.
Guests then stood in silence as the sound of the Vice Regal Salute of 19 guns filled the air all the way from Kangaroo Point cliffs.
The Premier took to the stand to directly address Her Excellency Dr Young.
“We will never know the number of lives that you have saved,” she said.
Ms Palaszczuk said that Dr Young’s reputation precedes her throughout the state
“They hold you in the greatest esteem,” she said.
BREAKING: Dr Jeannette Young is the 27th Governor of Queensland.
— Annastacia Palaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) November 1, 2021
This is the Commission to officially appoint Dr Jeannette Young as our new Governor.
It was signed by Her Majesty The Queen and me, as the Premier of Queensland, and was approved by Executive Council on Friday. pic.twitter.com/8efhoIP3fq
“As far as Queensland is concerned, you are our excellency.”
Opposition Leader David Crisifulli was the next to speak where he nodded to Dr Young’s efforts during the pandemic.
“Few would have encountered the challenges you have faced over the past few months.”
Mr Crisifulli also praised said her willingness to serve and professionalism.
“On behalf of the Opposition, I welcome you as Queensland’s 27th Governor.”
Her Excellency took the stand to say coming to Queensland was the “best decision of her life”.
Her Excellency said that with her husband Professor Graeme Nimmo, she would be the Governor for all of Queensland and would travel far and wide, especially to First Nation communities.
“I see my mission as Governor to serve, acknowledge and support Queenslanders wherever they may live,” she said.
“I look forward with great optimism to serving Queenslanders as their 27th Governor.”
Along with ensuring she reaches every part of the state, Governor Young said her priorities would also include improving literacy.
“My other priorities as Governor are to promote literacy, especially for Indigenous children and young girls, to encourage a healthy and active Queensland and to visit every public hospital throughout my term,” she said.
She also paid tribute to the “inspirational legacy” left by her predecessor Mr de Jersey and his wife Kaye.
Governor Young said she was “so in awe” of all healthcare workers and emergency services personnel.
She also thanked her husband Graeme, her daughters Jane and Rebecca, her son-in-law Grant and her grandson Calvin.
The official party arrived at Parliament at 2pm including Her Excellency, who wore a lilac purple suit and her signature pearls.
The swearing-in started off with a rendition of the Australian anthem by local up-and-coming musician Luke Harrison and was followed by a powerful dance performance by members of the Aboriginal Centre of Performing Arts.
The Governor’s exiting procession from Parliament was led by the Guard of Honour, Queensland Police Service and the Australian Army Band Brisbane.
Governor Dr Young inspected the guard as onlookers observed from behind the cordoned off area near QUT gardens.
She was then escorted from the building in the blues Rolls-Royce to Government House.
Her Excellency served as the state’s chief health officer for 16 years, during which time she halved Queensland’s smoking rate to 10 per cent and increased children’s vaccination rates to 95 per cent.
She is now the fourth female to hold the title following Quentin Bryce, Penelope Wensley and Leneen Forde.
She is also be the third doctor to take up the role.
It comes as the 26th Governor of Queensland, Paul de Jersey, was farewelled by teary-eyed staff, friends and guests on a sombre day at Government House in Brisbane in the morning.
Mr de Jersey held the esteemed title since 2014.
He appeared in front of Government House on Fernberg Rd in Paddington on Monday morning wearing a deep navy suit and his medals.
His wife of 50 years, Kaye de Jersey, stood alongside him in a pink skirt with a matching jacket-style top.
She wasn’t alone in this sentiment as guests were wiping away tears, including the MC of the day, one of Mr de Jersey’s staff members, crying during the final goodbye.
The Royal Guard of Honour, Queensland Police Service and the Australian Army Band Brisbane started the procession down the hill to the presentation area where Mr de Jersey then inspected them.
In a personal touch, he spoke to as many officers as he could get to and even said a group thank you to the band.
School leaders also attended the farewell including Year 11 boys from Anglican Church Grammar School and Year 6 students from Milton State School and Ithaca Creek State School, which was also the school Mr de Jersey attended as a child.
He was even overheard telling one of the students at Ithaca that he went there and he “didn’t turn out too bad”.
Mr de Jersey’s final speech was a reminder as to the former Governor’s impact and likability in the role as he even made the schoolchildren laugh by saying if it were up to him he’d hand them a school holiday tomorrow.
The former-Governor also began to choke up when he spoke about serving the state alongside his wife’s “abiding support”.
He finished his short and sweet speech by saying he was “positive” about the future of the state.
“A very proud and grateful farewell to you all. God bless Queensland, god bless the people of Queensland,” he said.
Mr de Jersey and his wife said their goodbyes to the guests, with Ms de Jersey blowing kisses to the ground staff and giving teary hugs to the distinguished guests.
The pair drove away in a blue Rolls Royce to make room for the future Governor to step in.
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