On Friday 1 August 2025, Her Excellency the Honourable Barbara Baker AC, Governor of Tasmania, was pleased to make an official visit to the Huon Valley.
Joined by her husband, Emeritus Professor Don Chalmers AO, Her Excellency visited several towns and met many members of the community.
“Travelling around our State and meeting our local communities on municipal visits is one of my favourite parts of my role,” Her Excellency said.
“We enjoyed our day in the Huon Valley, finding out about important projects, meeting community groups and visiting local schools and facilities.”
Her Excellency’s visit began at Burtons Reserve in Cygnet, where she met with the Port Cygnet Scouts and visited the Country Women’s Association Cottage and planted a rosemary bush in the kitchen garden.
She then visited the South East Tasmanian Aboriginal Corporation (SETAC) and found out about the services they offer and their new facility at the Port Cygnet Cannery.
At the Cygnet Town Hall, Her Excellency met with more representatives from Cygnet community groups and enjoyed morning tea provided by the CWA.
She then travelled to Huonville to visit the Huon Valley Trade Training Centre, where she toured the facilities and also enjoyed a delicious lunch prepared by hospitality students.
Her Excellency and Professor Chalmers then headed to Franklin to tour the Huon Regional Care facility and meet with staff and residents.
In Ranelagh, they visited the Huon She Shed, which provides a safe, inclusive environment for women to meet and learn basic building and wood working skills.
The Vice-Regal couple’s final stop was in Huonville to find out more about the planned new childcare centre and meet some young Huon Valley residents, before heading to the Huonville Town Hall for a civic reception to cap off a busy and interesting day in the region.
“I would like to thank everyone who made us feel so welcome during our official visit to what is Australia’s southernmost local government area,” Her Excellency said.
“It was wonderful to visit SETAC’s new facility at the Port Cygnet Cannery and to learn more about their programs to support the region’s Tasmanian Aboriginal community and celebrate Tasmanian Aboriginal culture.
“As Governor I am focused on education and youth engagement, so it was also pleasing to visit the Huon Valley Trade Training Centre and find out how it is preparing young people to enter the workforce in fields including aquaculture, construction and agriculture.
“Throughout our visit I enjoyed meeting so many people who are all making important contributions to their community, and I thank Mayor Sally Doyle and the Huon Valley Council for their hospitality in hosting us.”