Vice-Regal Notes

The Governor, Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, attended a forum hosted by the Victorian Multicultural Commission titled ‘Contemplation, Compassion and Our Common Humanity’, where she met with Vivienne Nguyen AM, Chairperson, Victorian Multicultural Commission, and gave opening remarks.

In the afternoon, the Governor hosted a lunch for The King’s Foundation Australia on the occasion of the visit to Victoria of Dominic Richards OAM, Chair.

In the morning at Government House, members of the public visited for a guided school holidays family tour of the State Apartments and Kitchen Garden.

The Governor, Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, as Patron, visited RSPCA Victoria, where she met with Bronwyn Hughes, Deputy Chair, and Dr Liz Walker, CEO, RSPCA Victoria, before receiving a briefing.

Following this, the Governor was escorted on a tour of the RSPCA Victoria facilities, where she visited the veterinary clinic, parade ground, barn, and the adoptions centre.

In the afternoon, the Governor received the welcome call of His Excellency Dr Fahad Obaid Mohamed Altaffag Almarashda, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates, and Mrs Noora Rasheed Mohamed Aldanki Alshehhi.

Later, the Governor received the call of Professor Bill Charman, Emeritus Sir John Monash Distinguished Professor, Monash University.

In the evening, the Governor, as Visitor of the University of Melbourne, attended a dinner at Ormond College, where she met with Dr Areti Metumate, Master and Head of Ormond College, University of Melbourne.

Following the dinner, the Governor gave a speech before participating in a seminar discussion with students.

The Governor, Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, provided Royal Assent before presiding at a meeting of the Executive Council.

Later, the Governor, as Patron, visited Australian Red Cross Victoria, where she met with Dr Garry Nolan AM, Chairman, Victorian Divisional Advisory Board, Australian Red Cross.

Following a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony, the Governor was escorted on a tour of the facilities, where she visited the Heritage Archive and the Emergency Operations Centre.

Then, the Governor officially opened the new offices of Australian Red Cross Victoria and gave a speech to mark the occasion.

In the afternoon, the Governor received the call of Professor Sean Scalmer, Professor of Australian History, the University of Melbourne.

Following this, the Governor presided at a special meeting of the Executive Council.

In the evening, the Governor, as Patron, hosted a reception to celebrate the 45th anniversary of Court Network, where she gave a speech to mark the occasion.

While on a Regional Visit to the City of Greater Geelong, the Governor, Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, visited AMDA Foundation, where she met with Justin Giddings, CEO, and staff members, AMDA Foundation.

Following this, the Governor attended a breakfast to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Friends of Geelong Botanic Gardens, where she met with Jan Cheyne, Vice-President, Friends of Geelong Botanic Gardens.

Then, the Governor gave a speech to mark the occasion before participating in a tree planting ceremony and touring the Geelong Botanic Gardens.

In the afternoon, concluding the Regional Visit to the City of Greater Geelong, the Governor visited the Hanwha Armoured Vehicle Centre for Excellence, where she met with Richard Marshall, General Manager – Business, and Hichang Lee, General Manager – Production, Hanwha Defence Australia, before receiving a briefing and touring the Centre.

In the morning at Government House, members of the public visited for a guided tour of the gardens. 

The Governor, Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, commenced a Regional Visit to the City of Greater Geelong, where she met with Councillor Srechko Kontelj OAM, Mayor, Greater Geelong City Council, before receiving a briefing from Councillors and touring the Wurriki Nyal Civic Precinct.

Following this, the Governor visited Geelong Arts Centre, where she met with Lesley Alway, Chair, Geelong Arts Centre Trust, and Rhys Holden, CEO, Geelong Arts Centre, before being escorted on a tour of the Centre.

In the afternoon, the Governor visited the Geelong Grammar School Corio Campus, where she met with Rebecca Cody, Principal, and Paddy Handbury, Chair, Geelong Grammar School, before receiving a tour of the school with the school captains.

Then, the Governor attended an afternoon tea, where she met with members of G30 Schools, before participating in a tree planting ceremony with students.

Following this,  the Governor visited GeelongPort, where she met with Brett Winter, CEO, GeelongPort, before being escorted on a tour of the Port, where she received a briefing on its operations and visited several precincts.

The Governor, Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, received the call of Dr Liam Byrne, Honorary Fellow, University of Melbourne.

Following this, the Governor conducted an investiture ceremony for recipients of awards of the Order of Australia and gave a speech to mark the occasion.

In the evening, the Governor attended an event to celebrate the centenary of Myer Family Investments Ltd, where she met with Sidney Myer AM, Chairman.

The Governor, Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, presided at a meeting of the Executive Council.

Following this, the Governor conducted an investiture ceremony for recipients of awards of the Order of Australia and gave a speech to mark the occasion.

The Governor, Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, presided at a special meeting of the Executive Council.

Following this, the Governor issued the Writ to the Australian Electoral Commission for the election of Victorian Senators to the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia in the 2025 federal general election.

In the morning at Government House, members of the Port Melbourne Probus Club visited for a guided tour of the State Apartments and Kitchen Garden.

Later, members of the public visited for a guided twilight tour of the gardens.

The Governor, Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, and Professor Glyn Davis AC, hosted a dinner for the Council of Chief Justices of Australia and New Zealand.

The Governor, Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, attended the 2025 Avalon Australian International Airshow, where she met with Air Commodore David Strong, Senior Air Force Officer, Victoria.

Following this, the Governor toured Royal Australian Air Force assets on display, including meeting with Australian Air Force Cadets and touring the C-17A Globemaster aircraft.

Then, the Governor toured the Exhibition Halls, where she visited a number of exhibitors, including the Victorian Government Pavillion, where she met with Professor Regina Crameri, Victorian Defence Industry Advocate and Chair, Defence Council Victoria.

In the afternoon, the Governor attended a luncheon in the Chairman’s Suite, where she met with Vice Admiral Tim Barrett AO CSC RAN (Rtd), Chair, AMDA Foundation Limited, and viewed aerial displays.

The Right Honourable the Lord Spellar PC, United Kingdom Trade Envoy to Australia, was farewelled following his stay at Government House hosted by the Governor.

In the morning at Government House, members of the public visited for a guided tour of the State Apartments and Kitchen Garden.