Vice-Regal Notes

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

In the afternoon, the Governor received the call of Rob Brown, CEO, and Rick Young, Victorian Operations Manager, Fruit 2 Work.

In the evening, the Governor hosted the Swearing-in of the Honourable Chief Justice Richard Niall as the 13th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Victoria, where she gave an address to mark the occasion.

Following the ceremony, the Governor hosted a dinner in honour of the new Chief Justice.

The Governor, Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, and Professor Glyn Davis AC, attended Victorian Opera’s Opening Night of ‘Follies’ at the Palais Theatre, where they met with Genevieve Overell AM, Chair, Victorian Opera.

In the morning at Government House, members of Nunawading U3A visited for a guided tour of the State Apartments and Kitchen Garden, and members of the public visited for a guided tour of the gardens.

Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia and Her Excellency Vicki Treadell CMG MVO, High Commissioner for the United Kingdom were farewelled following their stay at Government House hosted by the Governor, Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC.

The Governor, Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, received the call of Captain Ben Favelle CSC RAN, Senior Naval Officer Victoria.

In the afternoon, the Governor attended the Women's Ashes Test Match, MCG, between Australia and England, where she met with Ross Hepburn, Chair, Cricket Victoria.

Following this, the Governor met with Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia.

In the evening, the Governor hosted a dinner in honour of Her Excellency Vicki Treadell CMG MVO, High Commissioner for the United Kingdom.

The Governor, Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, as Patron, visited Foodbank Victoria, where she met with Dave McNamara, CEO, Foodbank Victoria, and with volunteers.

Following this, the Governor received a tour of the Foodbank Yarraville Warehouse before receiving a briefing on operations.

In the afternoon, the Governor received the call of Her Excellency Vicki Treadell CMG MVO, High Commissioner for the United Kingdom.

The Governor, Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, received the call of Captain Stephen Bowater OAM RAN, Chair, Shrine of Remembrance Trustees.

Following this, the Governor received the call of Terry Garwood, Deputy Secretary, First Peoples State Relations, and Shen Narayanasamy, State Lead, Treaty Negotiations and Strategy, Department of Premier and Cabinet.

In the afternoon, the Governor received the call of Brad Battin MP, Leader of the Opposition.

The Governor, Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, and Professor Glyn Davis AC, hosted the Official Australia Day Flag Raising Ceremony, during which the Governor received the Royal Salute from the ADF Tri-Service Guard.

Following this, the Governor inspected the Guard and Royal Australian Air Force Band, before giving the Australia Day Address.

Then, the Governor and Professor Davis hosted the Government House January Open Day, where the Governor met with representatives of volunteer organisations and visitors at the Open Day.

In the afternoon, the Governor, as Patron-in-Chief, gave an interview to 3MBS Melbourne 103.5FM.

The Governor, Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, attended the 2025 Australian Open Women’s Final, where she met with Jayne Hrdlicka, Chair, Tennis Australia, before observing the match and presentation ceremony.

The Governor, Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, visited St Paul’s Cathedral where she met with The Most Reverend Dr Philip Freier, Joy Freier OAM and other representatives of St Paul’s Cathedral, before being escorted on a tour of the Cathedral.

Following this, the Governor, as Patron, visited the Travellers Aid Australia’s service site at Flinders Street Station, where she met with Melita Ryan, Chair, and Elias Lebbos, CEO, Travellers Aid Australia, before receiving a briefing on operations.

In the evening, the Governor attended a 2025 Chinese New Year Event hosted by Fang Xinwen, Consul General, Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China, at Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club.

After observing a traditional Chinese lion dance performance, the Governor gave a speech to mark the occasion, before observing a Girls’ Tennis Dance Performance and a Celebrity Tennis Friendship Match.

The Governor, Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, received the call of Simona Jobbagy, Director, National Institute of Circus Arts and Sam Jacob, Chief Executive Officer, Collarts.

In the evening, the Governor hosted the 2025 Australia Day Reception, where she gave a speech to mark the occasion.