MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN - GENE MILES

So often we hear people talk about how the speed of rugby league keeps increasing.

After a hectic start to 2012 with the FOGS, I would argue that pace extends to the game’s activities off the field as well.

It doesn’t seem like that long ago since we were winding down after a busy but productive 2011, yet here we are – only a matter of weeks into the new football season – and it is literally all systems go for us and the game at large.

Already, the FOGS have completed three of the forums for the Indigenous Employment and Careers Expos – in Cairns, Sunshine Coast and Mackay.

Overall, we have 21 events to roll out this year for our Expos, which gives you some idea of the scale of the exercise we are now dealing with.

Each Expo has a three-pronged attack – starting with the breakfast forum, then the corporate dinner the night before the Expo, and then the Expo itself.

The format for the forums was changed this year from an all-day event to a more concise breakfast meeting, and all of the feedback that we have had so far indicated the move has been a winner.

The breakfast forums are held about five to six weeks out from the Expos coming to that region, and it serves as an opportunity to get everyone together to make sure we are all pulling in the one direction, work out all the issues and work out what needs to be done to make the Expos continue as the massive successes they have been.

Similarly, the forums were a terrific success in themselves – with 160 people turning up in Cairns, 120 on the Sunshine Coast and 80 in Mackay.

Barry Lea was our special guest in Cairns, and he spoke about his life as a rugby league and rugby union player.

It was an insightful look at the life of a man who hit the heights as a football player, hit the lows when he found the drink and punting, and has now turned his life around again.

Mal was our speaker at the Sunshine Coast, and he spoke about the success of the team over the past six years, and how he relates that back to education, discipline and the sacrifices that the players make for each other.

And in Mackay, John Ribot delivered an excellent address on the strain placed on local employment by the advent of the mining boom.

John spoke about the considerable burden placed on local employers, who now have to compete with the rivers of money on offer at the mines to fill essential jobs and services.

It is a big issue, and John’s address was very well received.

The Expos themselves now begin to roll around the state, and once again we are looking at record numbers of exhibitors and attendees.

The response has just been sensational, and is further evidence not only of the popularity of the FOGS, but also an understanding and appreciation of the work that we are doing.

I would quickly like to thank the cast of Former Origin Greats, and the cameo appearances of current Maroons, who bring the star power that is so crucial to making the Expos, and all of our projects, such a big success.

On the field, the game is also going from strength. The football has been of exceptional quality, and it has been very pleasing to see the core of Mal Meninga’s Queensland team at the forefront.

The form of the Maroons’ senior men has been outstanding, and a number of our Emerging Origin stars are also making a concerted push for a call up to the Origin arena this year.

Across Queensland, and on the field with the Maroons, we are facing challenging times. It is a time for resilience, determination and the spirit to never give in.

But it is during the tough times when Queenslanders are at their finest, digging deep to find that little bit extra, and to triumph when all seems lost.

This year, everything the FOGS do will be in tribute to our great mate Arthur Beetson, who we lost suddenly late last year.

What better inspiration for all Queenslanders than Big Artie, who lifted an entire state on his massive shoulders back in 1980, and will do so again with the memories and legacy he has left behind.

There are big challenges ahead, but the FOGS, the Maroons and the Queensland people are ready to step up again.

During the good times and the bad, it is always great to be a Queenslander.

Gene Miles