Vice-Regal Notes

The Governor, Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, attended the official opening of the Cook Centre for Performing Arts Building at Rossbourne School, where she met with Shane Kamsner, Principal, and Rowena Stocks, Chairperson, Rossbourne School Board.

Following this, the Governor gave a speech and unveiled the plaque to officially open the building, before attending a morning tea with staff and supporters of Rossbourne School.

Later, the Governor received the call of Sven Bluemmel, Victorian Electoral Commissioner.

Then, the Governor received the welcome call of Rami Hamidi, Consul-General of Lebanon.

In the evening, the Governor hosted a reception for the 15th Anniversary of Teach For Australia and gave an address to mark the milestone.

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

Then, the Governor hosted a morning tea for the 20th Anniversary of the Melbourne Prize Trust and gave an address to mark the milestone.

In the afternoon, the Governor received the welcome call of His Excellency Mr Nikolas Stürchler Gonzenbach, Ambassador of Switzerland and Elisabeth Bösch Malinen, Consul-General of Switzerland.

Later, the Governor received the welcome call of His Excellency Mr Stavros Venizelos, Ambassador of Greece, and Mr Emmanuel Kakavelakis, Consul-General of Greece.

The Governor, Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, in her role as University Visitor, presided over the installation ceremony of Jane Hansen AO as the 23rd Chancellor of the University of Melbourne at Government House, and gave an address to mark the occasion.

In the morning at Government House, participants from Ringwood Lake Probus Club visited for a guided tour of the State Apartments. 

The Governor, Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, received the welcome call of Paule Ignatio, Consul-General of France.

Later, the Governor presided over the investiture of the Honourable Daniel Andrews AC, former Premier of Victoria, as a Companion of the Order of Australia.

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

The Governor, Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, attended the official opening of the Y Community School in Epping, where she met with Narelle Sketcher, President, Y Whittlesea Youth and Community Services, and Michele Rowse, CEO, Y Whittlesea.

Following this, the Governor gave a speech and unveiled a plaque to mark the opening of the school, before being escorted on a tour of the classrooms.

Then, the Governor attended the Ceremonial Opening of Treaty Negotiations at Darebin Parklands, hosted by The First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria and Victorian Government.

Later, the Governor and Professor Glyn Davis AC met with Jon Faine AM, Vice Chancellor's Fellow at the University of Melbourne, Emeritus Professor Dennis Altman AM, La Trobe University, Professor Gary Foley, Victoria University, and Emeritus Professor Diane Kirkby, La Trobe University, before hosting the third session of the Understanding Victoria Government House Discussion Series, "What do we want? And when do we want it? Human rights and modern Victoria."

The Governor, Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, met with the Honourable Anne Ferguson, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Victoria and the Honourable Justice Andrew Keogh, Judge of the Supreme Court of Victoria, before hosting the swearing-in of the Honourable Justice Kerri Judd as a Judge of the Supreme Court of Victoria.

Then, the Governor welcomed Scarecrow Program participants from Vermont South Special School, Yarraville Special Development School, Melton Specialist School and Croxton School to Government House.

In the afternoon, the Governor received the call of Ro Allen, Commissioner, Victorian Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commission.

In the evening, the Governor and Professor Glyn Davis AC met with Christine Christian AO, President, and Paul Duldig, Chief Executive Officer, State Library of Victoria, before attending the annual State Library of Victoria President’s Dinner.

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

Later, the Governor, as Representative Colonel of the Royal Victoria Regiment, visited Puckapunyal Military Area where she presented honours and awards to members of RCB 146 before observing a military training exercise.

Following the exercise, the Governor attend a lunch hosted in her honour by Brigadier Michelle Campbell, Commanding Officer, 4 Brigade, and senior members of the Royal Victoria Regiment.

In the morning at Government House, participants from the McAuley Community Services for Women visited for the Kitchen Garden Program.

The Governor, Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, as Patron, attended the Melbourne Athenaeum’s 185th anniversary afternoon tea reception, where she gave an address to mark the milestone.

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

The Governor, Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, visited the Port of Melbourne, where she met with Saul Cannon, Chief Executive Officer, Leigh Petschel, Chief Financial Officer, and Sarah Browne, Executive General Manager, Corporate Relations, Port of Melbourne.

Following this, the Governor was escorted on a tour of the Port, where she received a briefing on its operations and visited several precincts, including Victoria Dock and Webb Dock East.

Later, the Governor received the call of His Excellency Mr Allaster Cox, Australian High Commissioner to Singapore, and Scott Bradford, Acting Director, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Victoria State Office.

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, visited Dandenong Magistrates’ Court where she received a briefing from the Honourable Justice Lisa Hannan, Chief Magistrate of Victoria, Magistrate Frances Medina, Dandenong Regional Coordinating Magistrate, and Jane Craig, Executive Director, Court Operations.

Then, as Patron of Court Network, the Governor met with Court Network volunteers and received a briefing on the supports provided by the Network at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court.

Following this, the Governor received a briefing from Magistrate Jacinta Studham and practitioners on the Assessment and Referral Court and Koori Court operations.

Then, the Governor was escorted on a tour of the Specialist Family Violence Court where she received a briefing on courtroom upgrades designed to support the safety and wellbeing of people affected by family violence.

In the afternoon, the Governor visited Dandenong Primary School where she met with Terri Truscott, Assistant Principal, and School Captains. The School Captains escorted the Governor on a tour of the School’s campus, which is marking its 150th anniversary year.

Then, the Governor met with parents from Dandenong Primary School’s Community Hub and shared in a traditional Afghan lunch.

Following this, the Governor visited A.W. Bell, where she received a briefing from Sam Bell, Chief Executive Officer, and Jo Murtagh, Head of Sales and Marketing.

Then, the Governor toured the facility and met with staff, including Levi Konnerth, Winner of Apprentice of the Year at the 2024 Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame Awards.