On Wednesday 30 April 2025, Her Excellency the Honourable Barbara Baker AC, Governor of Tasmania, was pleased to make an official visit to the Kentish municipality in Tasmania’s north-west.

Joined by her husband, Emeritus Professor Don Chalmers AO, Her Excellency visited schools, businesses and local attractions and met many members of the community.

“Travelling around to the many corners of our State on municipal visits is one of my favourite parts of my role,” Her Excellency said.

“I was delighted to visit the vibrant Kentish municipality and spend some time admiring the stunning natural beauty, meeting local residents and learning more about the region’s rich heritage.”

Her Excellency began her day at the Lake Barrington International Rowing Museum, where she viewed the world-class rowing course which recently hosted 2,500 athletes for the largest ever Australian Rowing Championships in March.

She then headed to the Sheffield School Farm, where she enjoyed touring the property, meeting students and hearing how the school provides innovative hands-on learning opportunities in agricultural studies.

In Railton, Her Excellency visited the Cement Australia plant, which has been a key industry in the town for over one hundred years, where she learned about its sustainability projects.

She then returned to Sheffield where she toured the Kentish Men’s Shed with its historic blacksmith’s forge and also visited the Sheffield Steam and Heritage Centre which is home to much-loved event Steamfest.

Her Excellency and Professor Chalmers then headed to the award-winning Sheffield Visitor Information Centre where they had the chance to try some berry spirits distilled by local business Plump Berries.

Sheffield is well-known for its murals and artistic heritage, so they were delighted to then visit the Sheffield Art Gallery before enjoying a guided tour of the Mural Park.

Her Excellency then visited residential aged care facility Tandara Lodge, before concluding her official visit with a civic reception at the Sheffield Town Hall.

“I would like to thank everyone who made us feel so welcome during our official visit to Kentish,” Her Excellency said.

“One of my areas of focus is education and youth engagement, and so I enjoyed the opportunity to visit the Sheffield School Farm to speak to students and learn about their innovative programs.

“I am also committed to supporting Tasmanian arts and culture, and so it was wonderful to gain an insight into Kentish’s rich artistic and cultural heritage through visits to local attractions including the Sheffield Art Gallery, Mural Park and Steam and Heritage Centre.

“It was a delight to visit this beautiful region and to meet so many members of the community, and I thank the Kentish Council for their hospitality in hosting us.”