Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce was sworn is as Australia's 25th Governor General on 5 September 2008. Upon my first meeting with Ms Bryce, I was in awe of her exuberance, her charisma, her immaculate presentation, her enquiring eyes.I did not recognise her and started to enquire as to what her vocation in life was, I said assumingly, "You are a leader, a lawyer perhaps?". To which Ms Bryce so politely said, "Yes I was a lawyer, I am the Governor of Queensland" (this was before being appointed Governor General). To which I replied, "oh of course you are" (I then had images of her face flooding back to me from news stories I had seen her in. Needless to say I was terribly embarrassed).
I have had few people influence me in my life as Ms Bryce has - she has this incredible way of making you feel like you can take on the world. I remember after my first encounter with Ms Bryce walking around for days looking for extra ways to make a difference and feeling empowered, feeling like I could do something great, something wonderful on this earth - truly made me feel like she was pulling the best out of me. What an incredible craft!
I have met Ms Bryce only a few times - the last time we spoke I said to her, "You are such an inspiration to me". And she so graciously said, "Janmaree, you are an inspiration to me". I was lost for words, how could I be an inspiration to this wonderful woman - a true tower of strength to so many, the Governor General of Australia?!
It came as no surprise to me when I read a piece about her that contained these words:
"As a mother and grandmother, Quentin is a role model and mentor to women at every stage of their lives. She values and encourages women’s capacity to form strong and enduring bonds of friendship, intellectual and emotional enrichment, and mutual support in their roles within the family, workplace and community." (www.gg.gov.au/governorgeneral/content.php?id=40).
Ms Quentin Bryce you are amazing. I thank you for the wonderful light you are to so many. I am blessed to have met you and am forever changed for it.
2 comments:
Isn't she just one of the most graceful women ever! I love her too, have never had the pleasure of meeting her though.
Quentin is LOVELY, absolutely graceful - absolutely perfect representative of the Queen!! She is stunning - tall, beautiful, & incredibly vibrant!
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