October 18, 2012
You have two things that are priceless: time and unlimited potential. All of us wish you well in the way you use that time and potential. But it does go fast. At 20 years of age I joined the police force. It was a fit for me. It was the right vocation. Now it’s like I turned around and blinked twice and it’s all over, 44 years …
Soon-to-be retired Queensland Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson was welcomed back to Kingaroy this evening by a large crowd gathered at the Town Hall for Kingaroy State High School’s annual Speech Night.
Comm. Atkinson, whose contract finishes on October 31, shared his thoughts on attitude, ambition, and “living for today” with the students.
He told them they were stepping out into a breathtaking century.
“But what will happen from here on in is that things will happen … and you will react and respond,” he said.
“The way you react and respond will determine how your life unfolds. Some things you will have total control over. Some things you will have partial control over. Some things you will have no control over whatsoever.
“Some of these experiences will be great, or good, or ok, or boring, or routine, or unfair, or terribly unfair.”
Comm. Atkinson told the students the way they would react to each of these experiences would depend on their knowledge (“school is just the start of lifelong learning”) and their attitude.
But they should not be afraid to have ambition. And they should not be afraid to dream.
“If you give it 100 per cent and have the right attitude you give yourself the best chance of success,” he said.
“Be the best you can be … be 100 per cent.”
Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington, South Burnett Mayor Wayne Kratzmann and Darling Downs South West Region Director of Principal coaching Cecily Andersen joined Comm Atkinson on stage to hand out the students’ awards.
Entertainment for the evening was provided by the KSHS Concert Band, Stage Band and Vocal Group.
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