The Royal Queensland Bush Children’s Health Scheme (BUSHkids) was established in 1935 at the instigation of the then Governor of Queensland, Sir Leslie Orme Wilson. Sir Leslie became the organisation’s first president and patron, and each successive Governor of Queensland has taken over the role of patron of the Royal Bush Children’s Health Scheme on assuming office. The Governor is the representative of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Queensland’s Head of State, and in 1973 Queen Elizabeth graciously consented to the prefix ‘Royal’ being added to the organisations name, reinforcing the connection between the scheme and the Governor as patron. Although in 2010 the shorter more popular name ‘BUSHkids’ was adopted as the organisation’s operating name, The Royal Queensland Bush Children’s Health Scheme remains the organisations official name.
Our current patron is Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM, Governor of Queensland who took over as Governor from BUSHkid’s previous patron, His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC during her visit to BUSHkids’ Rockhampton Office in November 2021.
We are delighted Her Excellency as 27th Governor of Queensland has agreed to become our patron,” said BUSHkids CEO Carlton Meyn. “We are proud that successive Governors have taken on the role of patron since the Royal Queensland Bush Children’s Health Scheme was established over 85 years ago.”
During her visit the Governor and husband Professor Nimmo toured BUSHkids’ Rockhampton centre where they were briefed by members of the organisation’s management team and governing council about BUSHkids’ work to help children at risk of poor health, educational and social outcomes reach their full potential in life.
We are very proud that Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM, Governor of Queensland has agreed to be our patron and thank her and Professor Nimmo most sincerely for taking time out of their busy schedule to visit our service centre in Rockhampton,” said Dr Neil Bartels OAM, chair of BUSHkids’ governing council.
You can learn more about Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM, Governor of Queensland via the Government House Queensland page here: https://www.govhouse.qld.gov.au/
