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 Australiana Society Inc.

The Governor was pleased to welcome members of the Australiana Society from around the country to Government House for morning tea.

Formed in 1978, the Society is devoted to researching, preserving and collecting Australia's heritage, and its members include Australian and State public libraries, museums and art galleries and private collectors.

Members of the Society are in Tasmania for an annual tour, travelling from Launceston down the State’s East Coast, visiting 49 historic properties and collections.

During the morning tea, guests were able to view a model of Hobart’s Old Government House, which in the early 1800s stood on the site now occupied by Franklin Square and the Town Hall, on loan from the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery.

Guests were also shown some historic furniture from Old Government House, including bookcases, chairs and an oval table, which today remain in use in the Governor’s office.