Thursday, 22 May 2025
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 pay respects to the Elders of the lands from and through which you have travelled to Government House.

Welcome back to Government House for the 11^th Pathfinders’ Pumpkin Run, one of the last official stops on your annual journey south from Tilbuster Station, providing not only much-needed food on your way south but much cheer, goodwill and hope to hundreds of people in need.  

Everyone here knows the story of the Pumpkin Run – an idea that emanated from one of Pathfinders' young people and which has literally taken hold to become an institution in itself.  

The work commences in November with planting – this year over 1000 seeds - and then tending to the crop until harvest time. Next comes the herculean task of getting the show on the road. It is a story of determination, compassion and generosity by young people who already have had significant life challenges but who have gained skills, confidence and a place with which to identify and feel a sense of belonging. I understand Jason, now one of your staff team, is on his 4^th Pumpkin Run.

For some reason, pumpkins engender all types of images, from pumpkin soup to Halloween. In 2023, when I was trying to visualise what your 15 tonne crop looked like, I compared it to having a couple of adult elephants along with a few baby elephants in the room. 

As I was coming up with that analogy, I was unaware that in that same year the current world record for the biggest pumpkin was set in California by a pumpkin nicknamed ‘Michael Jordan’ at 2749 pounds – about 1200 kilos or just over one tonne. For this year’s harvest, you would have to take 10 one tonne ‘Michael Jordan’s’ and somehow have got them into the Ballroom at Government House where we are at the moment. Or think of 10 male saltwater crocodiles, which also weigh about a tonne, each eyeing off your harvest.

Your efforts again this year are really remarkable by a remarkable group of young people and volunteers as you’ve delivered pumpkin meals to shelters and community groups, including Newcastle’s Soul Hub and Oz Harvest, then here to Sydney, and Newtown Mission and Addison Road Community Centre.  And congratulations also for your new initiative of the mini-Pumpkins Runs to Inverell and the mid-North Coast.

Today, at Government House we are saying thank you to you and in recognition of your work our Chef Mitch has been busy preparing a pumpkin feast of Blues, Butternuts and Jarrahdales:

For starters:   

Pumpkin and cheddar fritters

Smoked butternut pumpkin puree and crumbled feta tart

Working up an appetite to:

Pumpkin and ricotta arancini

The unbelievably sweet pumpkin pies

Not to miss Dessert:

Pumpkin spiced tarts with cream fraiche.

To the young people and volunteers,

To Alan and the Pathfinders Board, staff and generous supporters, who have joined or supported the “run” …

From Dennis and I, from Government House, and NSW communities, a heartfelt thank you.