I begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land we're meeting on. I extend this respect to all elders past, present and future, and other First Nations Peoples within our region and here with us today. I would also like to acknowledge and thank the Cairns Regional Council and the Mulgrave Gallery, including todays MC Sally Brown.
And of course – I acknowledge our artists – Gazellah Bruder, Jimi K Thaiday, Wendy Mocke, Pax Jakupa, Bernadette Killin, Morgan Lavapo, Charlie Street, and Leonard Tebegetu.
Tonight – we celebrate the connections shared by the islands of Zenadth Kes, in Papua New Guinea, with our Papua New Guinean diaspora in Australia.
Connections which extend back 2.6 million years to the beginning of the Pleistocene Epoch… through much of that time when our countries were connected by a land bridge through the Torres Strait.
People followed paths of migration from the north of Australia down to the southern tip of the continent.
Their paths followed the lines of rivers, and coasts.
Paths which later became trade routes and song lines, and which later yet became our stock routes, and our highways.
The land bridge severed around 8,000 or so years ago, at the close of the last Ice Age.
But trade over the ocean continued, as Torres Strait Islanders, and the coastal traders of Papua New Guinea, shared shells, culture and kinship.
And today – we are still – to quote Prime Minister Marape – joined at the hip, locked into Earth's crust together.
Or as we like to see it – we are standing together. Yumi Stap Wantaim.
We will very shortly celebrate PNG's Golden Jubilee.
Fifty years ago, Papua New Guinea achieved its independence – without conflict, or war, but with the peaceful unification of more than 600 tribes into one sovereign nation.
Today, PNG is a country of immense diversity, of more than 800 languages and traditions, a country of young people -over 60 per cent- brimming with ideas, and potential.
Congratulations on this tremendous milestone.
And as we look ahead to the next chapter of PNG's history – we do so standing side by side, grounded by our growing and deepening modern partnership.
We are economic partners, with longstanding business and investment ties, and particularly in this part of Australia.
We are security partners, working together towards a future region that is stable, secure and prosperous.
And as it has been for thousands of years, we are and will continue to be connected through our people.
Our migrants, workers, and artists, our growing cultural and educational exchange – our shared passion for Rugby League and sport.
This weekend, forty boys and girls from Papua New Guinea are competing in the Pacific Nations Cup U17 tournament, right here in Cairns.
We feel these connections even more closely up here, where Port Moresby is closer than Brisbane.
So, it's natural then for Cairns and Far North Queensland to be the gateway for collaboration with PNG.
And it's even more appropriate we are here tonight to celebrate our connections: whether historical and modern, strategic and economic, cultural and personal – and as we launch The Invisible Line.
It's a theme which celebrates the cultural continuity, exchange and shared experiences between PNG, and the Torres Strait.
And it's been interpreted differently by each artist, according to their unique heritage, identity, creativity, and passion.
But common to all the pieces is the feeling of the living, breathing, growing connection between us as knowledge, wisdom, and creative expression continues to flow along the lines that have existed for thousands of years.
So, while there is a line on the map between us – our history together, our future direction, and the hearts of our people are all intertwined.
To that end, I am incredibly humbled to be here at the launch of The Invisible Line exhibition.
Thank you.