Vice-Regal Notes

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.

The Governor, Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, commenced a visit to Frankston City at Cash’s Awards and Promotion Solutions, where she met with Vincent Formosa, Managing Director, following a briefing the Governor toured the facility.

Continuing her visit to Frankston City, the Governor received a briefing on, and toured, Village 21 Moorumbina Mongurnallin, where she met with Sam Daley, Director Client Services South & Gippsland, Victorian Aboriginal Child and Community Agency.

In the afternoon, the Governor met with Councillor Kristopher Bolam JP, Mayor, and Phil Cantillon, CEO, Frankston City Council, following the meeting the Governor toured the Council Chambers.

Concluding her visit to Frankston City, the Governor visited Peninsula Health’s Frankston Hospital where she met with Helen Cooper, Chief Executive, Peninsula Health, and other senior representatives, before touring the hospital redevelopment site and new Short Stay Unit.

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

Following this, the Governor received the call of Mary Nega, CEO, and Ali Al Lawati, Treasurer, Youth Affairs Council Victoria.

In the afternoon, the Governor, as Patron, hosted an afternoon tea to celebrate the 170th anniversary of the St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria, where she gave a speech to mark the occasion.

The Governor, Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, hosted a lunch in honour of the visit to Melbourne of Congressman Trent Kelly, Chairman, Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, House Armed Services Committee, United States of America Congress,  and members of his delegation.

In the morning at Government House, graduates from the Victorian Public Service visited for a guided tour of the State Apartments and Kitchen Garden.

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

The Governor, Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, attended the Royal Australian Corps of Signals Parade and Commemorative Service at the Shrine of Remembrance, where she met with Lieutenant General Simon Stuart AO DSC, Chief of Army, Australian Army, Brigadier Deane Limmer CSM, Head of Corps, Royal Australian Corps of Signals and Colonel Catherine Carrigan, Deputy Chair, Shrine of Remembrance Trustees.

Then, the Governor received the Royal Salute, before inspecting the Divisions of the Royal Australian Corps of Signals and the Australian Army Band.

Following this, the Governor delivered an address to mark the occasion of the centenary of the Royal Australian Corps of Signals, before laying a wreath on behalf of the people of Victoria.

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, received the call of Her Majesty Queen Mother Tseyring Pem Wanghuck, Her Royal Highness Princess Chimi Yangzom Wangchuck, Her Royal Highness Princess Kesang Chodren Wangchuck and His Excellency Ambassador Sonam Tobgay of the Kingdom of Bhutan.

Following this, the Governor hosted a dinner in honour of the visit to Victoria of Her Royal Highness Princess Kesang Chodren Wangchuck as Royal Patron of the Gross National Happiness Centre Bhutan.