Requests and invitations for the Governor

Event invitations or requests

Information required

If you would like to send an event invitation to the Governor and/or Professor Davis, or request that they host an event at Government House, your letter should:

• arrive at least three months before the event, where possible
• be addressed to the Governor’s Official Secretary, Jonathan Burke
• be emailed to requests@govhouse.vic.gov.au
• be in writing

be signed by the most senior member of the organisation, for example, the Chair or President. Please note that when referring to the Governor and Professor Davis in written form, their titles are as follows:

• Her Excellency Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC
• Professor Glyn Davis AC

Event invitations

For invitations for the Governor to attend an event hosted by you/your organisation, your invitation should also include the following details:

• whether the invitation is for the Governor only, Professor Davis only, or both
• as much about the event as possible, including an outline of the function and its purpose
• any specific role requested of the Governor and/or Professor Davis, including if you wish for the Governor to deliver a speech. Noting, requests for the Governor to speak must be made at the time of issuing the invitation. Requests for the Governor to speak after an invitation has been accepted are unable to be accommodated. expected timings, including the start and envisaged finish time.

Event requests

For requests for the Governor to host an event at Government House, your request also should include the following details:

• as much about the proposed event as possible, including an outline of the function and its purpose
• whether your organisation is celebrating an anniversary
• anticipated number of attendees
• desired broad date range.

Applying for patronage

Guidelines for Patronage Applicants

As a general guide, Vice-Regal Patronage may be appropriate if an organisation:

• and its main officers enjoy good standing in the community
• has a Victoria-wide focus
• conducts business on a not-for-profit basis, and
• relates to the patrons' interests or professional experience.

There are many outstanding community organisations in Victoria, and it is not possible for the Governor to be patron of them all, no matter how deserving.

Organisation should submit their applications for patronage to requests@govhouse.vic.gov.au.

Stages of Review for all patronage requests

When requesting patronage, please include the following information:

• A letter requesting Vice-Regal Patronage, signed by the most senior person of your organisation (Chair or President), addressed to the Official Secretary to the Governor
• Background information about your organisation
• A copy of your organisation’s Constitution and the latest Annual Financial Report
• Evidence of authorisation of the request (such as the minutes at an Annual General Meeting or confirmation by the Executive)
• Your organisation’s expectations of the patron.

Additionally, kindly also provide answers to the following questions:

• Is your organisation or any of its office bearers or board members currently, or have they previously been, the subject of a police investigation or court proceeding?
• Is there any other matter related to your organisation, or any of its office bearers that, if known to the Office of the Governor, could bring into disrepute the Governor, spouse, or Office of the Governor?

References

For your request to proceed, we would appreciate if you could kindly provide three written references for your organisation. These references should be from individuals and organisations associated with your organisation in some way but not members, directors or otherwise part of your organisation.

Outcome

The outcome of your Vice-Regal patronage application will be advised in writing and if accepted, your organisation’s name will be included in the list of patronage organisations.

Congratulatory Letters

You can request a congratulatory letter from the Governor of Victoria, Her Excellency Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, to celebrate eligible occasions.

You only need to fill out one request form to receive a congratulatory letter from the Governor-General, Prime Minister, Governor and Premier.

Eligible occasions

Congratulatory letters are sent to Victorians to mark golden (50th), diamond (60th), 65th, 70th and 75th wedding anniversaries, and 100th and 110th birthdays.

Timing

You need to submit your request no earlier than three months before the celebratory date, or no later than six months after the date. Unfortunately, requests made outside these times generally cannot be accommodated.

Applications received with less than four weeks’ notice are not guaranteed to arrive by the anniversary date.

Make a request

1. Complete the Request for congratulatory message form via the Department of Premier and Cabinet website.
2. Lodge the form with your local Victorian Member of Parliament.
3. Your local Member will forward your request to the Office of the Governor (and the Governor-General’s Office, Prime Minister’s Department and Premier’s Department) for consideration.