Spending a great night in the company of stars

FUNCTIONS! Love em, a free glass of raspberry, a bickie, and of course the customary name tag one must return at the end of the night, not sure why.

We have some beauties, but Monday evening at the Ville, incredible.

Great food and atmosphere, they do it well. I have to say its always good to catch up with a mayor or three, have a laugh, upset them by discussing water, or see the ever-engaging flock of politicians.

Actually, we do have a good lot, we had the big welcome to our new governor and it was a great function, not because of it being for the Gov, and I mean that kindly, but for those who were invited.

I see our mayors often and I do love a laugh with Ramon Jayo of Hinchinbrook, top bloke, and the ever happy and positive Lyn Mclaughlin, except if you ask her about the Townsville pipeline to her big bath tub in the Burdekin, there’s cane fire and brimstone then I tell you! Brian the RSM of 3rd Brigade was there, and ready to near strangle me if I mention a military tattoo again. I did of course and he said he’s sending my address to the brigade as 4am drill practice. Brigadier Bruce Scott, wonderful man, so much he’s done for this city and the military, and many other dignitaries, councillors and one questionable broadcaster of hopeless habits.

It was not those who made this evening so very special, wonderful as they are, it was the others.

These others are the true stars of this great city, and I mean it with all my heart.

The medical marvels, and the kids.

The schoolies were all in uniform, lined up to see the governor, so good to see.

I talked to the kids from Pimlico, the school captains of the Willows State School and so many more.

Our young citizen of the year Kate Pembleton and her mum, an absolute angel with a goal to make life better for others.

I sorta wish you could meet all who were there last night, and then perhaps, in these times of uncertainty, you would have a real good feeling about our future, and in who’s hands we trust. Like doctor Rob and also Fleur, many of the staff at our hospital who look after our personal samples of what we – never mind.

They work so incredibly hard and they literally save lives every day.

They were so happy to be there, not as happy as I was to simply meet them and learn a little of what they do.

Over the pandemic these happy souls worked tirelessly finding the negs and positives.

There were two incredible ladies from the flying doctors who look after our little premmie bubs, these women are saints, again, enjoying every moment.

You rarely get a chance to meet and talk to those behind the scenes, who are really the ones who make a difference in our city.

Then, as the gathering hordes were slowly vanishing into the night, a lady came and said you may not remember me, I did of course – as I frantically and hopefully unnoticeably looked for the name tag, it was Georgina from Icon. I did indeed remember, more so, remember her telling me of the incredible work all the staff do at Icon Cancer Clinic.

It was an evening of stars who don’t receive enough recognition, perhaps in reality, our lovely governor came to see ‘you’.

Happy days.