Governor of Queensland | Public figure
Governor of Queensland
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25.01.2022 On this day in 1883, Sir Anthony Musgrave was sworn in as the sixth Governor of Queensland. As an experienced and well-travelled colonial administrator, Sir Anthony had already spent time in Australia, serving as Governor of South Australia from 1873 to 1877, and his arrival in Queensland was greeted with enthusiasm. Sir Anthony was regarded as an intellectual; one who thought deeply about the condition of the world and his own responsibilities. He took great interest in the... development of new industries in the State, and travelled extensively, including making an arduous trip to the Far North. During his term, he was ably supported by his wife, New York born Jeannie Lucinda Musgrave, who would go on to make a significant positive contribution to the lives of many, particularly vulnerable young women. The vice-regal couple arrived at a time of change for the colony, as political parties strengthened in purpose, power and popularity, and the close administrative ties to England began to loosen. This shift was to overshadow Sir Anthony’s term, when conflicts arose between him and the then Premier, Sir Thomas McIlwraith, over issues relating to Pacific Island labour, the administration of New Guinea and the Governor’s right to exercise the prerogative of mercy in the case of Benjamin Kitt. The stress of these events may have contributed to Sir Anthony’s unexpected death on 9 October 1888 from a heart attacknoted poignantly in Lady Musgrave’s personal diary with the words My life today has gone outhow can I live now? Sir Anthony was buried in the Toowong Cemeterywith an estimated 40,000 people joining the funeral processionwhile Lady Musgrave left Queensland to settle in England. Images courtesy of the State Library of Queensland.
25.01.2022 The names of the 93 members elected to the Queensland Legislative Assembly at the 31 October 2020 election were presented to the Governor today. His Excellency received the call of the Electoral Commissioner of Queensland, Mr Pat Vidgen PSM, earlier this morning. Mr Vidgen returned the writ the formal document issued by the Governor which caused the election with the handwritten names of the 93 members elected.... The writ will now be forwarded to the Clerk of the Parliament for tabling in the Assembly on the first sitting day of the 57th Queensland Parliament. Electoral Commission of Queensland Queensland Parliament
23.01.2022 He may be off duty in an official sense tonight, but Vice-Regal Dog Gavel is proving he remains ‘maroon to the bone’, settling in to watch Game 3 of the 2020 State of Origin series.
21.01.2022 The Queensland Symphony Orchestra is 'sharing the joy' in the lead up to Christmas, with QSO musicians playing private performances for unsuspecting but deserving Queenslanders who are nominated by their fellow citizens. The Governor, as proud Patron, recorded this video message in support of the Orchestra earlier this year. Queensland Symphony Orchestra
21.01.2022 The swearing-in of the Premier and Ministers of State is one of the Governor’s central constitutional duties. These ceremonies are signature events at Government House. They are both grounded in Westminster traditions while embracing contemporary Queensland elements, from the service of Queensland produce to the ceremonial greeting by the State’s official Vice-Regal Dog. Today’s swearing-in of the Palaszczuk Ministry is emblematic of the Governor’s wider constitutional role a...t the apex of Queensland’s governmental system to sustain the democratic links between the government and the parliament and the people to which they are accountable. These ceremonies of State importance are the culmination of the efforts of many hardworking staff, including at Government House and in the Department of the Premier and Cabinet.
19.01.2022 Celebrating Proclamation Day On this day in 1859, the Proclamation erecting Queensland into a colony separate from New South Wales was read to an excited crowd in Brisbane, shortly after the arrival of first Governor, Sir George Bowen. To celebrate, the Governor today visited the Queensland State Archives to view the original Proclamation. This is the first Proclamation Day where the Archives hold the full suite of documents which together explain Queensland’s foundations, af...ter His Excellency earlier this year deposited the original ‘Bowen’s Instructions, issued by Queen Victoria and carried by Sir George Bowen to Moreton Bay aboard the Cordelia. Queensland State Archives
19.01.2022 Earlier this week, the Governor opened the 57th Queensland Parliament at a formal ceremony at Parliament House. While many of the formal elements of the ceremony have remained the same since the opening of the first Parliament in 1860, other aspects have changed. Here is archival footage of Queensland’s eighth Governor, Lord Lamington, arriving via horse-drawn carriage to officially open Parliament in 1899. ... Footage courtesy of Queensland Museum Images.
19.01.2022 The Governor today visited the Narbethong State Special School in Buranda to watch the Queensland Symphony Orchestra ‘share the joy’ of Christmas by performing to staff and students. As part of the QSO’s ‘We’re sharing the joy’ campaign, musicians play private performances for unsuspecting but deserving Queenslanders, as nominated by their fellow Queenslanders. The Governor is proud Patron of the QSO. Queensland Symphony Orchestra Narbethong Special School
19.01.2022 The image used on the official Christmas Card of Queensland Governors emphasises the priorities of each Governor while capturing the spirit of Queensland and its people. Here are the official Government House Christmas Cards from the 1970s, covering the period of Sir Alan Mansfield, Sir Colin Hannah and Sir James Ramsay.
19.01.2022 The Governor today received the Premier, the Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk MP, following the 31 October election. With the Electoral Commission of Queensland count now well-advanced, and the cut-off date for the return of postal votes having been surpassed, the Governor invited the Premier to form government and agreed to swear-in the Palaszczuk Ministry at Government House tomorrow. While the Governor does not participate in the political process, his main constitutional responsibility is to ensure Queensland enjoys stable government that commands the popular support of the Legislative Assembly. The Governor’s constitutional duties sustain the democratic links between the government and the parliament and the people to which they are accountable.
17.01.2022 The Governor has today released his official Christmas Message via video. While it has been a difficult and testing year, the Governor has thanked Queenslanders for their fortitude and compassion. His Excellency and Mrs de Jersey wish all Queenslanders a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
14.01.2022 Today the Governor will attend the official opening of the 57th Queensland Parliament, fulfilling one of his most important duties as The Queen’s representative in this State. The opening of the first session occurs on the second day the House meets following a State election, after the Governor has summoned the Legislative Assembly, Members have been sworn in, and a Speaker has been elected and presented to the Governor. Members, their partners and special guests gather in P...arliament House’s Legislative Council Chamber, preserving the convention that the Sovereign (and their representatives) does not enter the Lower House. The full ceremony entails a grand sense of occasion, although this year many ceremonial aspects including the Royal Guard will be constrained by COVID-19 restrictions. We hope you enjoy these photographs from the State Library of Queensland, showing some of Queensland’s earlier Governors performing this important duty.
13.01.2022 Mr Speaker, with your permission, may I enter the Chamber?’ On Wednesday the Governor, as the Sovereign’s representative, attended the official opening of the first session of the 57th Queensland Parliament. The ceremony is steeped in traditions which reinforce the Governor’s role at the apex of constitutional government in Queensland while respecting the independence of the Parliament.... The opening speech of each new parliamentary session is prepared by the government, setting out its goals and legislative agenda. The speech is delivered before the Speaker, Members of Parliament, judicial and religious representatives , members of the consular corps and other invited guests in the former Upper House (which voted to abolish itself in 1921), reflecting the Westminster tradition that it is inappropriate for the Crown to enter the Lower House which is reserved for the peoples’ representatives. The Governor also seeks the Speaker’s permission prior to entering the Upper House chamber. The Governor arrives at Parliament House with much fanfare. Yesterday His Excellency receivesd the Royal Salute from the Tri-Service Honour Guard and a 19-gun salute and reviewed the Tri-Service Honour Guard, the Australian Army Band Brisbane and the Queensland Police Service Mounted Unit.
09.01.2022 The Queensland Parliament consists of the Legislative Assembly and The Queen who is represented by the Governor. His Excellency has both traditional and functional constitutional duties relating to the Parliament, including receiving its choice of Speaker and attending its official opening. Earlier today, the Honourable Curtis Pitt MP was declared the Legislative Assembly’s choice of Speaker.... This afternoon, he was formally presented to the Governor at a special ceremony at Government House called the ‘Royal Approbation’ in Westminster tradition. The ceremony takes place on the first sitting day of each new Parliament, and the day before the Governor attends the official opening of its first session. The Speaker is accompanied to Government House by the Clerk, the Sergeant at-Arms carrying the mace, the Premier and the Members who nominated and seconded the appointment. Other Members of Parliament are also invited to attend the ceremony. The Speaker informs the Governor that they have been elected to the Office of the Speaker and the Governor then formally congratulates them on their appointment. Queensland Parliament Curtis Pitt MP
09.01.2022 Tonight’s Christmas Lights display is still going ahead, despite the wet weather, although there is no shelter at Government House. We look forward to welcoming everyone who has pre-booked to the display. Merry Christmas
06.01.2022 The Governor today visited the tiny Mount Nebo State School west of Brisbane. The School is situated 464m above sea level and services the areas of Mount Nebo, Mount Glorious, Jolly's Lookout and suburbs surrounding The Gap and Samford. His Excellency addressed staff and students at a special assembly, before reading children’s book ‘Gavel Finds His Place’ to younger students.
05.01.2022 On this day in 1935, Queensland Governor Sir Leslie Orme Wilson opened the Barron Falls Hydro-Electricity power station near Cairnsthe first underground power station in Australia. After Sir Leslie turned the handle diverting the water dam to the turbines, he pressed a button to deliver light and power to Kuranda. Construction on the project was begun on the headworks at the falls in August 1932, but the precipitous terrain of the land, together with torrential rain, made ...the work difficult and dangerous. A high trestle bridge carrying the air line across the gorge was swept away twice by floods, and a flying fox traversing the gorge had to be installed to cart the materials that had been brought in by rail. The original plan was to build an open air power house, but with landslides and flooding hampering construction and causing the loss of four lives, it was abandoned for the underground option. Sir Leslie travelled a significant distance to inaugurate the scheme, which he considered of great importance to Queensland’s development. Official events took place at Kuranda, where spectators gathered around a specially constructed platform constructed beyond Fitzpatrick’s Hotel. Sir Leslie said: Cairns and district and Queensland owes a deep debt of gratitude to the first hydro-electric scheme. When, in 1963 its capacity could not cope with demand, and after the construction of the Tinaroo Dam, the Barron Gorge Hydro-Power Station further down the gorge replaced the Barron Falls Power Station. Images courtesy of the State Library of Queensland.
04.01.2022 Tonight’s Christmas Lights display is still going ahead, despite the wet weather. Please note, there is no shelter at Government House. Limited tickets may still be available through the Government House website. If you have booked but can no longer attend, please cancel your tickets through EventBrite, so someone else can enjoy the festive display.
04.01.2022 On this day in 1919, Lady Goold-Adams (wife of 12th Queensland Governor Sir Hamilton Goold-Adams) convened a meeting at Government House to establish the Girl Guides movement in Queensland. Despite being a busy mother to two young children, she responded to Lady Baden-Powell’s request to help form a central provisional committeewith herself taking the role of Chief Guide for Queenslandthat would oversee the movement’s development in the State. Lady Baden-Powell was the firs...t Chief Guide for Britain and wife of Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of both Scouting and Girl Guides movements. At this time Miss Marjorie Grimes had already established a troop at Tarragindi, and hers was to become the first to join the new organisation. The objective behind the Girls Guide movement was to give girls the opportunity to undertake mental and physical activities outside the standard education system, so they could learn to be more considerate, self-reliant individuals, who would also contribute more effectively to their communities. This is the same philosophy that underpins the organisation today, and is reflected through the achievements of Queen’s Guide and Adult Awards recipients, in ceremonies presided over by current Patron, Mrs Kaye de Jersey, since 2014. Images courtesy of the State Library of Queensland and the Government House collection. Girl Guides Queensland
03.01.2022 The Governor and Mrs de Jersey today visited Ascot State School in Brisbane, to celebrate the School’s centenary year. The vice-regal couple inspected the recent work of Year 2 students studying robotics, before attending a special assembly where His Excellency addressed guests and presented ‘Student of the Week’ awards. Mrs de Jersey then read a book to Year 1 students, ‘Gavel Finds His Place’.... The Governor’s father was head teacher of the School in the 1970s. Ascot State School
01.01.2022 Remembrance Day marks the date in 1930, when the State War Memorial of QueenslandAnzac Square in Brisbanewas dedicated by the then Governor Sir John Goodwin, in front of a large and reverent crowd. The idea to create a dedicated space to honour those who fought and died in service was first raised after the Anzac Day parade of 1916 and Queenslanders embraced the project, donating significant funds to its construction. The design for Anzac Square’s Shrine of Remembrancewit...h the Eternal Flame burning at its heartwas the result of an architectural competition, and took almost two years to build. Originally envisaged to honour World War 1 servicemen and women, Anzac Square now acts as a memorial for all Australian conflicts and service, and is an important public gathering place to commemorate significant events including Anzac Day. In 2013, a major refurbishment program was implemented to restore, protect and enhance the memorial to ensure its continued use and relevance for future generations. The final stage was completed in August 2019 and was then rededicated by the current Governor at a moving ceremony. Since 1930, when Sir John first lit the Flame of Eternal Remembrance, it still burns strongly as a permanent reminder of the extraordinary service and sacrifice of Queensland’s fallen.
