Governor of Tasmania

Governor of Tasmania Welcome to the official page of Her Excellency the Honourable Caroline Wells, Governor of Tasmania, and Government House Tasmania

This afternoon, the Governor was delighted to continue celebrating the outstanding Tasmanians recognised in the 2026 Kin...
04/09/2026

This afternoon, the Governor was delighted to continue celebrating the outstanding Tasmanians recognised in the 2026 King’s Birthday Honours List.

Each recipient has made a meaningful contribution to their community and to our State, and has been recognised for their exceptional service, achievement and dedication to others.

Congratulations to recipients at this afternoon’s Investiture Ceremony:

🌟Bruce Corbett AM AFSM
🌟Margaret Chilcott ASM
🌟Michelle Izard ASM
🌟Garry White ASM
🌟Janet Drummond OAM
🌟Peter Dunphy OAM
🌟Steven Fisher OAM
🌟Gillian Forsyth OAM
🌟David Hill OAM
🌟Patricia Kent OAM
🌟Craig Leeson OAM
🌟Robin McKendrick OAM
🌟Emeritus Professor Peter Muirhead OAM
🌟John Pugh OAM

Nominations for Australian Honours and Awards are open year-round, and anyone can nominate someone for an award. If you know an outstanding Tasmanian who deserves recognition, visit gg.gov.au to find out more and submit a nomination.

Every day around our State, ordinary Tasmanians are making extraordinary contributions across a diverse range of fields,...
04/09/2026

Every day around our State, ordinary Tasmanians are making extraordinary contributions across a diverse range of fields, strengthening their communities and making a lasting impact.

The Australian Honours and Awards system provides an opportunity to recognise, celebrate and thank those who make a difference, those who achieve their best, and those who serve others.

Today the Governor was pleased to present insignia to Tasmanians recognised in the 2026 Australia Day, King’s Birthday and Midwinter’s Day Honours Lists at two Investiture Ceremonies at Government House.

Congratulations to recipients at this morning’s ceremony:

🌟The Honourable David Bartlett AO
🌟Geoffrey Fader AM
🌟William (Bill) Lark AM
🌟Dr Andrew Mulcahy AM
🌟Scientia Professor Emerita Rosemary Rayfuse AM
🌟Terrence Roe AM
🌟Damon Thomas AM
🌟Frances Underwood AM
🌟Brett Walker AM
🌟Commander Damien George APM
🌟Assistant Commissioner Douglas Oosterloo APM
🌟Jane Edwards OAM
🌟Graeme Foale OAM
🌟Roger Viney OAM
🌟Dr Clive McMahon AAM

Nominations for Australian Honours and Awards are open year-round. If you know an outstanding Tasmanian who deserves recognition, visit gg.gov.au to find out more and submit a nomination.

As part of her commitment to connect with communities across our State, yesterday the Governor was delighted to spend a ...
03/09/2026

As part of her commitment to connect with communities across our State, yesterday the Governor was delighted to spend a jam-packed afternoon in the municipality of Clarence.

The visit was a chance to find out about businesses and attractions driving economic impact and to meet with organisations dedicated to improving the lives of their fellow residents, showcasing the importance of connection to community, place and each other.

During the afternoon, the Governor and Dr Walters:

☀️ Heard about the many interesting things happening around Clarence during a lunch at the City of Clarence Council chambers

🎨 Headed to Rosny Farm to visit the new Youth Clubhouse, see exhibitions being installed at The Schoolhouse gallery, hear about plans to expand the arts and cultural precinct and view the work underway to rewild the Rosny Parklands

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Spent time at the Risdon Vale Neighbourhood Centre, having a chat at the community café, visiting the community garden and finding out about the many valuable programs it offers

🏍️ Visited members of the Military Brotherhood Military Motorcycle Club Tasmania South at the Risdon Vale Hall and learned about how they are supporting veterans and their families

⛳ Toured the new 7 Mile Beach Golf Course, which has added to Tasmania’s outstanding reputation for golf tourism

🥃 Ended their visit with a Civic Reception at Killara Distillery in Richmond, which is continuing the State’s tradition of producing award-winning wh**ky and spirits

The Governor and Dr Walters enjoyed meeting many members of the community throughout the day and thanked everyone who hosted them during their visit.

Today is National Wattle Day, marking the first day of spring and honouring Australia’s national floral emblem.On this d...
01/09/2026

Today is National Wattle Day, marking the first day of spring and honouring Australia’s national floral emblem.

On this day we also recognise and celebrate the bravery and courage of members of our community, with the announcement of the Australian Bravery Decorations List.

The Governor congratulates the 54 people who have been awarded the Bravery Medal, the Commendation for Brave Conduct or the Group Bravery Citation.

These honours recognise those who, without thought of personal risk, displayed courage and bravery to protect or defend others.

The full list of recipients is available at the Governor-General’s website: https://www.gg.gov.au/australian-bravery-decorations-list-wattle-day-2026

Anyone can nominate someone for an Australian Bravery Decoration, so if you know a worthy Tasmanian who deserves recognition, see the above website for more information.

📸: Wattle growing in the Government House gardens.

Say hello to Gus! 🐈While the Governor and Dr Walters have been busy welcoming guests and meeting members of the communit...
31/08/2026

Say hello to Gus! 🐈

While the Governor and Dr Walters have been busy welcoming guests and meeting members of the community, the other new Government House resident has been having an altogether more relaxing time.

As you can see the Governor’s beloved 17-year-old ginger cat has settled nicely into his new home.

While visitors are not likely to see him in the State Rooms, the curious feline enjoys exploring the hidey holes of the Governor’s apartment upstairs where he can often be found having a snooze.

Facilitating diplomatic relationships is an important part of the Governor’s role, and this month she has been pleased t...
28/08/2026

Facilitating diplomatic relationships is an important part of the Governor’s role, and this month she has been pleased to host representatives from several countries at Government House.

From morning and afternoon calls to an official visit incorporating a formal dinner, these meetings have been an opportunity to promote Tasmania and support international engagement with the State.

This month the Governor and Dr Walters have welcomed:

🇨🇭 Ambassador of Switzerland, His Excellency Mr Nikolas Stürchler to stay at Government House and attend an official dinner with Tasmanian business leaders and industry representatives Embassy of Switzerland in Canberra

🇺🇸 Consul General of the United States of America in Melbourne, Mr Colin Crosby, who has recently arrived in Australia to take up the role U.S. Consulate Melbourne

🇪🇺 Ambassador of the European Union, His Excellency Mr Gabriele Visentin, to say farewell as his tenure in the role concludes European Union in Australia

🇯🇵 Consul General of Japan in Melbourne Mr Tokuro Furuya, who returned to Government House to say goodbye as he also finished up in the post Consulate-General of Japan in Melbourne 在メルボルン日本国総領事館

This week the Governor has been pleased to spend time with two Tasmanian organisations that work to support others and h...
27/08/2026

This week the Governor has been pleased to spend time with two Tasmanian organisations that work to support others and help to make a difference in our community.

⚜️ On Tuesday evening, the Governor was invested as the Chief Scout of Scouts Tasmania, making her Scout Promise at a ceremony at the Lindisfarne Scout Hall.

She and Dr Walters then joined Joeys, Cubs, Scouts, Venturers and Rovers for an evening of fun activities, along the way learning about the history of Scouts Tasmania and how the organisation provides development opportunities for young people today.

💜 Yesterday, the Governor and Dr Walters visited the Hobart Women's Shelter to meet with staff and members of the Board, following shelter CEO Janet Saunders and Deputy CEO Belinda Witter’s call at Government House earlier this month.

While there, they were pleased to see the recent renovations and hear how the shelter is building an additional 15 units to support women and children.

Connecting with communities across our State is an important part of the Governor’s role, and this week she has been del...
25/08/2026

Connecting with communities across our State is an important part of the Governor’s role, and this week she has been delighted to visit groups in Launceston.

These meetings have been a valuable opportunity to spend time with members of our Tasmanian community, exploring the important work organisations are undertaking across a variety of fields.

During their visit, the Governor and Dr Walters:

🎤 Attended a public lecture hosted by the Northern Branch of The Royal Society of Tasmania, of which the Governor is Patron. Professor Toby Walsh from the University of New South Wales delivered the lecture on the topic ‘Artificial intelligence: what it can (and can’t) do’.

💛 Visited Noonameena, the Melaythenner Teeackana Warrana Aboriginal Corporation’s headquarters, to meet with Elders and staff, and find out about the corporation’s programs, projects and events, including the upcoming Mannalargenna Day Festival

💙 Met with members of Launceston Legacy, another of the Governor’s Patronage organisations, to learn about its work caring for the families of fallen and seriously injured veterans

In her community engagement role this week, the Governor has had the pleasure of meeting with many Tasmanians at events ...
21/08/2026

In her community engagement role this week, the Governor has had the pleasure of meeting with many Tasmanians at events at Government House.

From celebrations with groups supporting science and the performing arts to representatives from Patronage organisations coming to call, these events have been opportunities to hear about what is happening in our community and join with Tasmanians to mark their important occasions.

This week, the Governor and Dr Walters have:

💜 Met with Shirleyann Varney, CEO of the Sexual Assault Support Service (SASS), one of the Governor's Patronage organisations, to discuss the service’s vital work over the past 40 years

🧪 Celebrated National Science Week 2026 with a reception attended by Tasmanians passionate about science, including students and teachers from Southern Tasmanian schools

🍎 Met with Kate Crawford, State Manager of Eat Well Tasmania, another of the Governor's Patronage organisations which supports healthy, local and sustainable food initiatives across the State

🎶 Enjoyed the beautiful harmonies of the Deep South Chorus and The Silvertones Chorus at a reception for the Southern Tasmania Harmony Club

In 1831, English explorer John Biscoe reprovisioned his ships in Hobart during an expedition to the Southern Ocean, in t...
20/08/2026

In 1831, English explorer John Biscoe reprovisioned his ships in Hobart during an expedition to the Southern Ocean, in the course of which he successfully circumnavigated Antarctica.

Since then, Tasmania’s ties to the frozen southern continent have only grown stronger, and today the State is proud to be an international centre of Antarctic excellence.

This month the Governor has been pleased to meet several people involved in this important sector and celebrate Tasmania’s scientific, economic and cultural links with Antarctica and the Southern Ocean.

🌊 Recently the Governor met with Nathan Walker, Executive Secretary of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), to discuss the Commission’s work and the importance of its Secretariat being headquartered in Hobart.

❄️ Earlier this week, she received Tasmania’s Antarctic Advocate, Dr Tony Press AO, and Deputy Premier and Minister for Trade Guy Barnett MP, to discuss the State’s Antarctic sector and the contribution it makes to global science, research and international collaboration.

🐧 And today the Governor was delighted to be at Hobart’s waterfront to officially launch the biennial Australian Antarctic Festival, which celebrates the city’s role as a global gateway to the Antarctic. Featuring a busy program including exhibitions, tours, displays and lectures, the festival allows visitors to meet members of Australia’s Antarctic community and learn what they do in the highest, driest, windiest and coldest place on earth. The Australian Antarctic Festival takes place at venues around Hobart until this Sunday, 23 August.

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7 Lower Domain Road
Hobart, TAS
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