Governor of Tasmania facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Governor of Tasmania |
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![]() Flag of the Governor
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Viceregal | |
Style | Her Excellency The Honourable |
Residence | Government House, Hobart |
Appointer | Monarch
on the advice of the premier
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Term length | At His Majesty's pleasure
(typically 5 years)
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Formation | 8 January 1855 |
First holder | Sir Henry Fox Young |
The Governor of Tasmania is a special representative of the King of Australia in the state of Tasmania. Think of them as the King's local helper. The person holding this job right now is Barbara Baker. She started her role in June 2021.
The Governor's official home is Government House. It is located in Hobart at the Queens Domain. The main job of the Governor is to carry out the King's duties for the state.
The Governor of Tasmania has duties similar to other state governors in Australia. They also do things like the governor-general of Australia does for the whole country. This important role started a long time ago. It began with leaders called commandants and lieutenant-governors. They were in charge when Tasmania was known as Van Diemen's Land.
Tasmania became separate from the Colony of New South Wales in 1825. The title "Governor" began to be used in 1855. That was the same year the state got its current name, Tasmania. Today, the Governor usually follows the advice of the state's elected leader. This leader is called the premier of Tasmania.
Tasmania had governors born in Britain for a longer time than most other states. The first Governor born in Australia was Sir Stanley Burbury. He was appointed in 1973. The first Governor born in Tasmania was Sir Guy Green, appointed in 1995. Since Sir Stanley Burbury, all Tasmanian governors have been born in Australia. The only exception was Peter Underwood, who was born in Britain but moved to Australia as a teenager.
Contents
Titles and Special Names
Since December 2014, all current and future Governors of Tasmania get a special title. They are called "The Honourable" for the rest of their lives.
Governor's Personal Flag
The Governor of Tasmania has their own special flag. It looks like the British blue ensign. This means it has the Union Flag in the top left corner. On the right side, there is a white circle. Inside the circle is a red lion walking. Above the lion is a crown called St. Edward's Crown. This flag was chosen in 1977.
When this flag is flying, it shows that the Governor is present. You might see it at Government House. You could also see it on a car or boat, or at an event.
Past and Present Flags of the Governor
Tasmania Was Once Divided
Between 1804 and 1813, Van Diemen's Land was split into two parts. Each part had its own leader. These leaders were called lieutenant-governors or commandants. They reported to the governor of New South Wales.
The southern part was led by Colonel David Collins. After he passed away, other commandants took over. The northern part, around Port Dalrymple (now George Town), also had its own commandants. In 1813, the two parts joined together. They became one colony under Governor Thomas Davey.
List of Governors of Tasmania
Early Leaders: Lieutenant-Governors
The colony was known as Van Diemen's Land until 1856.
No. | Lieutenant-Governor | From | To | |
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1 | Colonel Thomas Davey | 4 February 1813 | 9 March 1817 | |
2 | Colonel William Sorell | 9 March 1817 | 14 May 1824 | |
3 | Sir George Arthur | 14 May 1824 | 29 October 1836 | |
4 | Sir John Franklin | 5 January 1837 | 21 August 1843 | |
5 | Sir John Eardley-Wilmot | 21 August 1843 | 13 October 1846 | |
6 | Sir William Denison | 25 January 1847 | 8 January 1855 |
First Governor-in-Chief
No. | Governor | From | To | |
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1 | Sir Henry Young | 8 January 1855 | 10 December 1861 |
Governors of Tasmania
No. | Governor | From | To | |
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1 | Colonel Sir Thomas Browne | 11 December 1862 | 30 December 1868 | |
2 | Sir Charles Du Cane | 15 January 1869 | 30 November 1874 | |
3 | The Hon. Sir Frederick Weld | 13 January 1875 | 5 April 1880 | |
4 | The Hon. Sir John Henry Lefroy | 1880 | 1881 | |
5 | Major Sir George Strahan | 7 December 1881 | 28 October 1886 | |
6 | Sir Robert Hamilton | 11 March 1887 | 30 November 1892 | |
7 | The 14th Viscount Gormanston | 8 August 1893 | 14 August 1900 | |
8 | Captain Sir Arthur Havelock | 8 November 1901 | 16 April 1904 | |
9 | Sir Gerald Strickland | 28 October 1904 | 20 May 1909 | |
10 | Major-General Sir Harry Barron | 16 September 1909 | 3 March 1913 | |
11 | The Rt Hon. Sir William Ellison-Macartney | 4 June 1913 | 31 March 1917 | |
12 | Sir Francis Newdegate | 30 March 1917 | 22 February 1920 | |
13 | Sir William Allardyce | 16 April 1920 | 27 January 1922 | |
14 | Sir James O'Grady | 23 December 1924 | 23 December 1930 | |
15 | Sir Ernest Clark | 4 August 1933 | 4 August 1945 | |
16 | Admiral Sir Hugh Binney | 24 December 1945 | 8 May 1951 | |
17 | The Rt Hon. Sir Ronald Cross, 1st Bt | 22 August 1951 | 4 June 1958 | |
18 | The 2nd Baron Rowallan | 21 October 1959 | 25 March 1963 | |
19 | Lieutenant-General Sir Charles Gairdner | 24 September 1963 | 11 July 1968 | |
20 | Lieutenant-General Sir Edric Bastyan | 2 December 1968 | 30 November 1973 | |
21 | The Hon. Sir Stanley Burbury | 5 December 1973 | 16 March 1982 | |
22 | Sir James Plimsoll | 1 October 1982 | 8 May 1987 | |
23 | General Sir Phillip Bennett | 19 October 1987 | 2 October 1995 | |
24 | The Hon. Sir Guy Green | 2 October 1995 | 3 October 2003 | |
25 | Richard Butler | 3 October 2003 | 9 August 2004 | |
26 | The Hon. William Cox | 15 December 2004 | 2 April 2008 | |
27 | The Hon. Peter Underwood | 2 April 2008 | 7 July 2014 | |
28 | The Hon. Professor Kate Warner | 10 December 2014 | 9 June 2021 | |
29 | The Hon. Barbara Baker | 16 June 2021 | present |