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.

Oak trees have been planted in the paddock adjacent to the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens by or on behalf of all Premiers from the Honourable Eric Reece (Premier from 1958-1969 and 1972-1975) through to the Honourable Will Hodgman (Premier from 2014-2020).

“Of course, these impressive oaks do take up space and consequently we have now run out of room for more trees in the paddock,” Her Excellency said.

“That is why a new Premier’s Oak Grove has been established on our Eastern lawn.

“I am pleased that today we have dedicated the first tree in this new Grove to the Honourable Peter Gutwein, Premier of Tasmania from 2020 until 2022.

“As more oaks are planted here, it will become a beautiful spot for Government House visitors to enjoy the view, particularly during autumn as the colours turn.”

The tree, a Pin Oak (Quercus palustris), will grow up to 15 metres tall and its leaves will turn a deep red to bronze colour in late autumn.

Since the 1950s, commemorative trees have also been dedicated at Government House to honour visiting guests, including Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II; His Royal Highness Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh; His Majesty King Charles III (as Prince of Wales); Their Majesties King Frederik X and Queen Mary of Denmark (as Crown Prince and Princess); and His Excellency Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China.