Vice-Regal Notes

The Governor, Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, hosted an International Women’s Day Event for senior leaders in the Victorian Public Service, where she delivered an address before participating in a panel discussion.

The panel consisted of Jenny Atta PSM, Secretary, Department of Health, and Peta McCammon, Secretary, Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, and was moderated by Brigid Monagle, Commissioner, Victorian Public Sector Commission.

Following this, the Governor received the call of Chris Russell, Director and Chief Executive, Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria.

In the afternoon, the Governor, as Patron, received the call of Simone Carson AM, Co-Founder, and Daniel Moorfield, CEO, SecondBite.

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

Following this, the Governor visited Ego Pharmaceuticals, where she met with Alan Oppenheim, Managing Director, and Dr Jane Oppenheim, Scientific and Operations Director, before touring facilities including the manufacturing plant, laboratory and Zorzi Innovation Centre.

In the afternoon, the Governor received the call of the Honourable Martin Pakula, Chairman, and Travis Auld, CEO, Australia Grand Prix Corporation.

Then, the Governor received the call of Tim Ada, former Secretary, Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions.

The Governor, Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, welcomed members of Hindmarsh Shire Youth Council to Government House, visiting for a guided tour of the State Apartments and Kitchen Garden.

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

The Lieutenant-Governor, Professor James Angus AO, hosted the Scouts Victoria and Girl Guides Victoria Awards, where he presented recipients with their awards and gave a speech to mark the occasion.

While on a Regional Visit of East Gippsland Shire Council, the Governor, Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, gave a phone interview with ABC Radio Gippsland.

Following this, the Governor visited Bairnsdale Neighbourhood House, where she met with Leanne Jennings, CEO, before being escorted on a tour of facilities and meeting with volunteers.

Then, the Governor visited Krowathukooloong Keeping Place, where she met with Kenton Winsley, CEO, Gippsland and East Gippsland Aboriginal Cooperative, before being escorted on a tour of the exhibition and support facilities.

Concluding a Regional Visit of East Gippsland Shire Council, the Governor visited St Mary’s Catholic Church, Bairnsdale.

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

Commencing a Regional Visit of East Gippsland Shire Council, the Governor, Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, received a briefing from Councillor John White, Mayor, and Fiona Weigall, CEO, East Gippsland Shire Council.

Following this, the Governor attended a roundtable with representatives from Gippsland Agricultural Group and Food and Fibre Gippsland, before being escorted on a tour of the Food and Fibre Gippsland research farn and viewing a demonstration of soil testing.

In the afternoon, the Governor visited the TAFE Gippsland Seamec Campus, where she met with Laura Macpherson, CEO, TAFE Gippsland, before being escorted on a tour of the campus facilities and participating in a boat ride with maritime students from TAFE Gippsland.

Then, the Governor visited Lake Tyers Aboriginal Trust, where met with Brandon Hood, Trust Executive Officer, before being welcomed with a smoking ceremony.

Following this, the Governor received a briefing on the history and current operations of the Trust, before being escorted on a tour of significant locations at the site.

In the evening, the Governor attended a Civic Reception hosted by East Gippsland Shire Council, where she gave a speech to mark the occasion.

In the afternoon at Government House, participants from the Tennis Australia Women Leaders in Tennis Program visited for the Tennis Program

While on a Regional Visit to Wellington Shire Council, the Governor, Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, as Honorary Air Commodore of the No 21 (City of Melbourne) Squadron, visited the Royal Australian Air Force Base East Sale, where she met with Wing Commander Peter Ferris, Commanding Officer No. 30 Squadron, Royal Australian Airforce.

Following this, the Governor toured the Pilot Training System Facility and School of Air Traffic Control, during which she observed simulator demonstrations.

Then, the Governor visited Australian Sustainable Hardwoods, where she met with Vince Hurley, Managing Director, before receiving an operational briefing and touring the timber manufacturing and processing plants.

In the afternoon, the Governor visited Wulgunggo Nglalu Learning Place, where she met with Shaun Braybrook ACM, General Manager, before observing a traditional dance showcase and meeting with participants in the initiative.

Concluding a Regional Visit to Wellington Shire Council, the Governor attended the Southerly Ten Project Office, where she met with Paul Johnson, Senior Manager Regional Engagement, before receiving a briefing on the Star of the South offshore wind project.

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

Then, the Governor commenced a Regional Visit of Wellington Shire Council, where she met with Councillor Scott Rossetti, Mayor, and David Morcom, CEO, Wellington Shire Council, before receiving a briefing from the Mayor, CEO, Councillors and Wellington Shire Council staff.

Following this, the Governor visited Hussey & Co, where she met with Warrick Purdon, General Manager Farm Operations, Andrew Laughlin, General Manager Group Operations, and Brendan Flanagan, Commercial Operations Manager, before receiving a briefing and being escorted on a tour to view the paddock operations and harvesting.

Then, the Governor visited Hillside Dairies, where she met with Alister Clyne, Owner, before receiving a briefing on the improvements made to operations as a result of the recent installation of robotic milking machines.

The Governor, Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, hosted a reception to launch the 2025 PayPal Melbourne Fashion, where she gave a speech to mark the occasion.

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

The Governor, Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, as Patron, received the call of Associate Professor Michael Ben-Meir, CEO, Royal Flying Doctor Service Victoria.

Following this, the Governor received the call of the Honourable Julian Hill MP, Assistant Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, Commonwealth Government.

In the afternoon, the Governor, as Honorary Air Commodore, received the call of Wing Commander Nikki Clements, Commanding Officer, No 21 Squadron.

In the afternoon at Government House, participants from VicTennis visited for the Tennis Program.