Thursday, 6 July 2023
Government House, Sydney
Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC

Bujari gamarruwa

Diyn Babana Gamarada Gadigal Ngura

I greet you in the language of the Gadigal, Traditional Owners of the land on which we gather, and pay my respects to their Elders past, present, and emerging. I also extend that respect to the Elders of regions from which you have travelled.

Adam Marshall, Member for the Northern Tablelands, Gurmesh Singh, Member for Coffs Harbour, Pathfinders representatives, and participants in the 2023 Pumpkin Run …

There is a wonderful expression ‘the elephant in the room.’  This came to mind when I read that this year, 15 tonnes of pumpkins were harvested.  Now a large adult elephant weighs about 7 tonnes.  So, this year’s harvest is the equivalent of having 2 large elephants in the room along with a couple of baby elephants.  

We also know that elephants are good workers and more than capable of doing the heavy lifting.  That also seemed to be a good analogy because this morning’s event is all about thanking the hard working young people – and one or two not so young  - who really have done the heavy lifting from  planting of the pumpkins right through to bringing the harvest in, to powering across from Armidale and down to Sydney distributing the pumpkins, and the pumpkin soup and pumpkin lasagne, on this year’s Pumpkin Run. 

At this point the analogy with the elephant in the room runs out.  The expression actually means that there is something obvious to everyone, but no-one wants to talk about it.  The work of Pathfinders of which the Pumpkin run is very much its public face, deserves to be and needs to be, not only spoken about, but shouted from the rooftops. 

That work is life changing, as you connect with young people to develop skills, and build a sense of purpose, confidence, and self-worth.  Everyone needs that, but for some, it is not always the pathway in front of them.  

In turn, this particular project, the Pumpkin Run, enables young people, those in the room this morning and others not able to come on the Run, to understand that there are others in the community who have problems and gives them the opportunity to do something to help – something of real practical benefit.  To put that in simple terms, you the participants in this project, are helping others in the community put food on the table.  

The cost of living crisis is not a mere newspaper headline.  Soul Hub in Newcastle, who you visited on Tuesday said that in May this year they provided 61% more meals than May last year.  OzHarvest, who you visited yesterday said recently that in 19 years of operations, they have never seen the demand for food relief so high.^[1]

In this difficult environment what you have been doing makes a difference. You should wear that distinction, of making a difference, with real pride.

To the staff and officials of Pathfinders, thank you for what you are doing to support families, individuals and young people in the North-West, Northern Tablelands and Mid North Coast regions of NSW. The training programs for young people associated with The Run are one important part of a broader range of services you provide to make sure that your local communities are places where people can thrive, where no one is left behind.

I also have to mention the volunteers and organisations that consistently support The Run, including your local Men’s Shed and Rotary Clubs.

Being NAIDOC week, I feel one more thank you is in order. This year’s NAIDOC theme is ‘For Our Elders’ – celebrating the important role and the wisdom of Elders in our communities and families across generations. This morning, Dennis and I are delighted to welcome Rosemary [Curtis] back to Government House. It was my honour to invest you Rosemary with your Medal of the Order of Australia in this very room back in April, and fitting that you should return as part of the Pumpkin Run.

NAIDOC describe Elders as

cultural knowledge holders, trailblazers, nurturers, advocates, teachers, survivors, leaders, and hard workers - ..

Rosemary, thank you for your ongoing role in Pathfinders and in the region. 

To our Pumpkin Run participants with your hard work and willingness to nurture those in need, you are on your journey to becoming respected leaders and we are lucky as a community to have you.  Again, I want to recognise the positive contribution you make and which I am sure you will continue to make.  Thank you.

And now I believe we might be in for a pumpkin treat or two. 

[1] https://au.linkedin.com/company/ozharvest 73% of the charities they support have reported an increase in demand in the last six months