Governor's News lists the details of the Governor's Vice-Regal program.
They are published regularly here and keep you up-to-date on the activities of the Governor across the State and highlight the broad range of people and organisations with which Her Excellency is engaged.
In the afternoon at Government House, the Governor of Tasmania, the Honourable Barbara Baker, hosted a ceremony to dedicate a tree in honour of the former Premier of Tasmania, the Honourable Peter Gutwein.
Since 1985, it has been a tradition to plant commemorative trees at Government House to honour Premiers of Tasmania.
In the morning at Government House, the Governor of Tasmania, the Honourable Barbara Baker, and Emeritus Professor Don Chalmers, received the Honorable Jason Smith, Representative for Missouri, United States House of Representatives, Mr Doug Drummond, Director, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade US Economic Section, and Mr David Giordano, US Trade Policy Advisor.
In the afternoon at Government House, the Governor of Tasmania, the Honourable Barbara Baker, chaired a meeting with members of the Selection Committee for the 2026 Rhodes Scholarship for Tasmania.
In the evening at Hadley's Orient Hotel, Hobart, the Governor of Tasmania, the Honourable Barbara Baker, and Emeritus Professor Don Chalmers attended the 2025 Award Presentation and Exhibition Opening for the Hadley's Art Prize.
One of the Governor’s priorities in her community engagement role is supporting the arts in Tasmania.
In the morning at Government House, the Governor of Tasmania, the Honourable Barbara Baker, and Emeritus Professor Don Chalmers received Ms Catherine Whitington, Disability Commissioner Tasmania.
As part of her community engagement role, the Governor receives calls from many different people and organisations at Government House, including community representatives and other officials.
In the morning at Government House, the Governor of Tasmania, the Honourable Barbara Baker, received Ms Kath Wilson, Board Chair, and Ms Kristy Grierson, Executive Officer, of School Food Matters.
In the evening at the Henry Jones IXL Atrium, the Governor and Professor Chalmers attended the 2025 Season Launch and Jersey Presentation hosted by the Tasmania JackJumpers.
In the morning at Government House, the Governor and Professor Chalmers received the Lieutenant Grand Master of the Sovereign Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, Knights Hospitaller, His Excellency Paul Borg, accompanied by a delegation.
The Governor always enjoys the opportunity to celebrate important occasions with her Patronage organisations, including Palliative Care Tasmania.
In the evening, she was delighted to host the 2025 Tasmanian Palliative Care Awards at Government House, recognising the dedicated individuals, teams and organisations working in palliative care.
In her community engagement role, the Governor regularly visits municipalities around the State to meet members of the community and find out about local projects.
In the morning in Hobart, the Governor of Tasmania, the Honourable Barbara Baker, and Emeritus Professor Don Chalmers undertook an advance viewing of the 2025 Hadley's Art Prize Exhibition.
In her community engagement role, the Governor regularly welcomes young people to Government House to learn more about Tasmania’s system of government.
In the morning, she was pleased to host a group of international students from around the world currently studying at TasTAFE and the University of Tasmania.
Later, the Governor and Professor Chalmers hosted an afternoon tea to acknowledge members of staff from the Tasmanian Electoral Commission.
In her ceremonial role, the Governor attends the Ceremonial Openings of Parliament which typically take place following a general election.
To ensure that Parliament was able to resume more swiftly following the recent election, today the 52nd Parliament was opened by Commissioners appointed by Letters Patent. As a result, the usual ceremonial aspects, including a speech read by the Governor, did not take place.
In the morning at Government House, the Governor of Tasmania, the Honourable Barbara Baker, and Emeritus Professor Don Chalmers hosted a morning tea for members of the Queen Mary Club.
In the afternoon at Government House, the Governor and Professor Chalmers received the Mayor of Glenorchy, Alderman Sue Hickey, together with Mr Emilio Reale, Chief Executive Officer, Glenorchy City Council.
The Governor, in her ceremonial role, represents the people of Tasmania at important national commemorations, including Vietnam Veterans’ Day.
In the morning, she laid a wreath and addressed the Vietnam Veterans’ Day Commemorative Service at the Hobart Cenotaph.
More than 60,000 Australians served during the Vietnam War; 523 died and almost 2,400 were wounded.
In the evening at Princes Wharf 1, the Governor of Tasmania, the Honourable Barbara Baker, accompanied by Emeritus Professor Don Chalmers, delivered an address to officially open the Gala Dinner to mark the 2025 Fearless Festival.
In the morning, the Governor of Tasmania, the Honourable Barbara Baker, presided at a Special Meeting of the Executive Council.
In the evening the Governor hosted the Pakistani Australian Cultural Organisation (PACO) at Government House for a reception to mark the Independence Day of Pakistan.
In the her community engagement role, the Governor enjoys welcoming Tasmanians from all cultural backgrounds to Government House to celebrate their important occasions and significant events.
Speaking to guests, the Governor recognised the contributions of Tasmania’s Pakistani community. According to the 2021 census, 1,469 people in Tasmania identified as being born in Pakistan.
