Valedictory Dux Speech—Stuart Houstoun Kilcoy State High School

Valedictory Dux Speech—Stuart Houstoun Kilcoy State High School

Category : General News

Valedictory Dux Speech—Stuart Houstoun Good morning, Class of 2017, teachers, staff, parents, special guests, and the rest of the student body who are stuck here listening to me. Hopefully I shall finish this address without hyperventilating, having an emotional breakdown or just boring you all out. Before I shine the spotlight on my own cohort (really, you’ve had enough attention this week, already), I’d like to pay my respects to everyone who is responsible for getting us to this stage. Parents, you have been the backbone helping our success; encouraging, assisting, threatening us to be our greatest and I hope that we in turn will use your advice to live our lives in ways that don’t disappoint you. Teachers. I must say that Kilcoy has been overserved an abundance of wonderful teachers who have always made sure we reached our goals (or their goals, if ours were lacking). You were a bunch of really nice people and I hope we have nothing but fond memories of you.

I’d like to also give a special shout-out to Mr Aitchison who has announced his retirement at the end of this year. He’s a good bloke who shared his deep passion for his subject (considering it was maths) and had to tolerate all the jokes and memes we made. Cheers, sir. Our thanks must also go to the principals and all the administration staff for organising this school, and whatever else it is they do in the office, but it must be important. To the Class of 2017, I’d like to bestow a “Suggestion from Stuey”. In 1967, Martin Luther King Jr. once said: “If it falls your lot to be a street sweeper, sweep streets like Michelangelo painted pictures. Sweep streets like Shakespeare wrote poetry. Sweep streets like Beethoven composed music. Sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will have to pause and say, ‘Here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well.’” A hint for the rest of life: you don’t need to be smart or wise or knowledgeable in any particular area. It’s all about Botheredness. (Yep, I just made that word up) As simple as it sounds, you just need to be bothered about stuff.

If you can’t be bothered, then you actually can’t do anything. Luther King’s street sweeper is stuck in a crummy job that pays little wages and little respect, but he is bothered enough to work his hardest in his rubbish situation even if he expects no reward. And if that means for us to be bothered enough to drop social occasions for study, to work your hardest at IGA for that job promotion or to stay up for a whole night to reach your highest score at Tetris, then that is what you should be bothered to do. (Okay, maybe not the Tetris one). We’re leaving what I’ve been told are the “Best Years of Our Lives”. Taking our first brave (or terrified) steps into adulthood. But I’m sure greater times are still to come (better than assignments and exams anyway) and as a wise sci-fi TV series once taught me, “What’s the point in growing up if you can’t be childish sometimes”. Wrapping up, I’d like to say that I’m not going to miss assessments or that really long bell or the crammed bus rides. But I am going to miss all the teachers I made bonds with, all of my fellow students and close friends and all of the enjoyable experiences I have had within this school. But as Dr Seuss advised: “Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.”

Thank you everyone and may God bless your futures.

 


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Cover for Councillor Cheryl Gaedtke for a strong Somerset Region
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Councillor Cheryl Gaedtke for a strong Somerset Region

Councillor Cheryl Gaedtke for a strong Somerset Region

I believe in open communication, active listening and a common sense approach, always.

This may very well be my last post on this site.I wish to congratulate all incoming Councillors, and I wish every single one of them all the best over the next four years, and I hope that I can be considered as part of the team, but from a very different perspective. I have the utmost confidence that our region will flourish under the leadership of Mayor Jason Wendt and the new "Team Somerset"!I share with my @followers the lovely Acknowledgement of Service of 39 years made to Queensland Local Government presented at my last Ordinary Council Meeting held on Wednesday 13 March 2024.Somerset Ordinary Council Meeting Minutes - 13 March 2024Acknowledgement of Service– Cr Gaedtke File Ref: Mayor and Councillor Reports Action Officer: EA Background/Summary Cr Gaedtke's career within Somerset Regional Council stands as a testament to her dedication to our community's welfare and advancement. Over nearly four decades of service, she has left a mark on the region, shaping its future for the better. With 39 years of committed service, including 31 years as a staff member and eight years as a councillor, Cr Gaedtke has illustrated the essence of public service. Her tenure has been characterised by a commitment to enhancing the lives of residents and driving meaningful progress within Somerset Regional Council and the former Kilcoy Shire Council. As a motivated figure within council, she has played a vital role in fostering collaboration and advancing effective strategies to address community needs. Cr Gaedtke's involvement with the Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) committee has been a source of pleasure and fulfilment, allowing her to support and promote the arts within the region. Additionally, her engagement with various community committees has given her fond memories and invaluable experiences representing and engaging with a diverse array of people. These interactions have enriched her understanding of the community's needs and aspirations, further fuelling her dedication to serving its interests. Cr Gaedtke's legacy is ingrained in the fabric of Somerset Regional Council. Her dedication has set a high standard for public officials, inspiring others to work hard and honestly for local government. As Cr Gaedtke prepares to embark on the next chapter of her journey, we extend our gratitude for her service and contributions to Somerset Regional Council. We wish her a retirement filled with joy, longevity, and the opportunity to pursue her passions and dreams. Recommendation THAT Council receive the report ‘Acknowledgment of Service - Cr Gaedtke’ and it be placed on the public record as an expression of sincere gratitude for her thirty-nine years of committed service to Somerset Regional Council and former Kilcoy Shire Council, serving as both an employee and Councillor. Resolution Subject: Moved – Cr Whalley Seconded – Cr Brieschke “THAT Council receive the report ‘Acknowledgment of Service - Cr Gaedtke’ and it be placed on the public record as an expression of sincere gratitude for her thirty-nine years of committed service to Somerset Regional Council and former Kilcoy Shire Council, serving as both an employee and Councillor.” Vote - Unanimous Carried ... See MoreSee Less
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Councillor Gaedtke - Councillor Report - Ordinary Council Meeting13 March 2024Queensland will be the biggest loser from the latest GST carve-up among the states and territories, the Commonwealth Grants Commission has revealed. In its latest report on Tuesday, the commission revealed Queensland’s share of GST in 2024-25 would be cut by nearly $500m on last year’s figure, to $17.46bn, while other states will also lose, and other states will benefit from the proposed changes. How will this impact Queensland Local Government?I have had a very sick husband for the past four weeks and shingles has caused him to suffer with severe nerve pain in the left side of his head, with very little successful pain control. This has made me realise what is important in life, and what is not. Yesterday, I was made aware of a third news article by close friends, that once again attempts to discredit me as a councillor for a live 20 second video. As human beings we all make mistakes, but we must own our mistakes and learn by them, enough said. It is totally un-Australian not to be able to voice your opinion openly, responsibility and professionally. The perpetrator this time may have shown the true character. As I said after the second news article, some 13 months ago, I pray for the soul of this tormented individual. I believe almost 40 years loyal service to Local Government outweighs one minor error of judgement.Ordinary Council Meeting Minutes RECORDMatters of public interest – Cr Gaedtke I read this morning that Queensland will be the biggest losers in the GST carve up amongst the States. The Commonwealth Grants Commission has revealed this unfortunately. So, in its latest report on Tuesday, the Commission revealed Queensland share of GST in 2024 - 25 will be cut by nearly five hundred million dollars so that's a cut on last year's things of 17.46 billion dollars. So, all I'm thinking, other states are losing obviously, other states are gaining. Queensland's not gaining, it's losing and I wonder how this impact will affect Queensland local government. And secondly, and this pain's me having to raise this but I think I'm entitled to do this. I've had a very sick husband for the past four weeks and shingles has caused him to suffer with severe pain on the left side of his head with very little successful pain control. It's a horrendous health condition. And if I can just implore everyone who's had chicken pox or even if you're not sure about chickenpox please give them their vaccination. Shingles is a horrible thing to go through I'm sitting and watching it as we speak now. So, this has made me realise what is important in life and what’s not. Yesterday I was made aware of a third news article by a close friend. My friend tells me that it's about a live 20 second video that I did back in May 2022 at the opening of the Toogoolawah Gym and Pool. It was the official opening. Yes, I did a 20 second live video tape which was against policy and the funding agreement from the state government as it funded most of that structure. So, once again this individual attempt to discredit me as a councillor through printed articles. This is the third one, the third one since May 2022. I've made mistakes but we own our mistakes and learn by them. That's enough said because we're human beings. So it's to me it is totally un-Australian not to be able to voice my opinion openly and responsibly and professionally as I did in the newspaper back on the sixth of March 2024 about how I found local government over 40 years and who my preferred candidates are to lead this council in the right direction over the next four years and beyond. So, the perpetrator this time they've shown their true character by the article that appears in a local newspaper. As I said after the second news article some 13 months ago, I prayed for the soul of this tormented individual. I believe my 40 years of loyal service to local government outbreaks one minor error of judgement. Thank you ... See MoreSee Less
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Eight years ago🙂❣️ ... See MoreSee Less
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