This week, the Governor took part in the annual Remembrance Day commemorations, and met with Victorians from a range of sectors.
The Governor’s program for the week commenced with an interview with Neil Mitchell for 3AW’s ‘What Makes You Tick’ segment. During the segment, the Governor discussed a variety of topics, including her journey into law, and how the role of Governor affords her the opportunity to see first-hand the diverse ways Victorians contribute to the betterment of the State. To listen to the interview, please visit here.
The Governor and Mr Howard later hosted the 2023 Victorian Australian of the Year Awards. The ceremony to announce the Victorian recipients of the Local Hero Award, the Young Australian of the Year, the Senior Australian of the Year Award and the Australian of the Year takes place annually at Government House. This year’s recipients were Belinda Young, Victoria’s Local Hero for 2023; Darcy McGauley-Bartlett, Victoria’s 2023 Young Australian of the Year; Professor Frank Oberklaid AM, 2023 Victorian Senior Australian of the Year; and Dr Angraj Khillan, 2023 Victorian Australian of the Year. The Governor gave a speech at the ceremony, where she thanked the nominees and winners on behalf the State for their significant and varied contributions to Victoria. To read more of the Governor’s speech, please visit here.
On Thursday, the Governor hosted a reception for Zoos Victoria. This year marks 160 years since the formation of Melbourne Zoo. The reception was an opportunity to celebrate that milestone, the long-standing importance of the Zoo in Melbourne, and to celebrate too Zoos Victoria’s other establishments, Healesville Sanctuary and Werribee Open Range. The Governor gave an address at the reception, where she spoke of the important conservation work Zoos Victoria carries out throughout the State, and of ‘the spark of curiosity and kinship with animals’ that occurs when we see animals and learn about their world. To read more of the Governor’s speech, please visit here.
Remembrance Day has been marked on 11 November for over a century, and this week, the Governor attended and spoke at the annual service at the Shrine of Remembrance to pay tribute to those who have served, and who have sacrificed their lives on behalf of their nation. At the service, the Governor said that as we were reminded that ‘peace is fragile…That conflict can come quickly…That lives and homes are lost or changed forever,’ we are reminded too ‘that the reasons for which we do remember are not just abstract or historical, but real and often repeated.’ To read more of the Governor’s Remembrance Day address please visit here. In the evening, the Governor and Mr Howard also attended the Welcome Reception for HMNZS Te Mana, as it tours the region after its capability upgrade in Canada. At the reception, the Governor spoke of the enduring friendship between Australia and New Zealand, and of the honour felt concluding Remembrance Day commemorations with our trans-Tasman friends.
Finally, on Sunday, the Governor and Mr Howard attended the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup held at the MCG, where England beat Pakistan by five wickets. It was England’s second T20 world title. During the week, the Governor also toured the Mornington Peninsula Shire. To read about that trip, please visit here.