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Governor of Tasmania
Flag of the Governor of Tasmania.svg
Flag of the Governor
Tudor Crown watermark.svg
Barbara Baker 2022.jpg
Incumbent
Barbara Baker

since 16 June 2021
Viceregal
Style Her Excellency The Honourable
Residence Government House, Hobart
Appointer Monarch
on the advice of the premier
Term length At His Majesty's pleasure
(typically 5 years)
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.

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
1
Thomas Davey
Thomas Davey
Colonel Thomas Davey 4 February 1813 9 March 1817
2
William Sorell
William Sorell
Colonel William Sorell 9 March 1817 14 May 1824
3
Major-General Sir George Arthur
Sir George Arthur
Sir George Arthur 14 May 1824 29 October 1836
4
John Franklin
Sir John Franklin
Sir John Franklin 5 January 1837 21 August 1843
5
John Eardley Wilmot
Sir John Eardley-Wilmot
Sir John Eardley-Wilmot 21 August 1843 13 October 1846
6
William Denison
Sir William Denison
Sir William Denison 25 January 1847 8 January 1855

First Governor-in-Chief

No. Governor From To
1
Sir Henry Young
Sir Henry Young
Sir Henry Young 8 January 1855 10 December 1861

Governors of Tasmania

No. Governor From To
1
Thomas Gore Browne
Sir Thomas Browne
Colonel Sir Thomas Browne 11 December 1862 30 December 1868
2
Charles Du Cane
Sir Charles Du Cane
Sir Charles Du Cane 15 January 1869 30 November 1874
3
Frederick Weld
Sir Frederick Weld
The Hon. Sir Frederick Weld 13 January 1875 5 April 1880
4
John Henry Lefroy
Sir John Henry Lefroy
The Hon. Sir John Henry Lefroy 1880 1881
5
George Strahan portrait
Sir George Strahan
Major Sir George Strahan 7 December 1881 28 October 1886
6
Robert G.C. Hamilton
Sir Robert Hamilton
Sir Robert Hamilton 11 March 1887 30 November 1892
7
Jenico Preston
The 14th Viscount Gormanston
The 14th Viscount Gormanston 8 August 1893 14 August 1900
8
Arthur Havelock
Sir Arthur Havelock
Captain Sir Arthur Havelock 8 November 1901 16 April 1904
9
Gerald Strickland 1930s
Sir Gerald Strickland
Sir Gerald Strickland 28 October 1904 20 May 1909
10
HarryBarron
Sir Harry Barron
Major-General Sir Harry Barron 16 September 1909 3 March 1913
11
WGEllison-Macartney
Sir William Ellison-Macartney
The Rt Hon. Sir William Ellison-Macartney 4 June 1913 31 March 1917
12
Francis Newdegate
Sir Francis Newdegate
Sir Francis Newdegate 30 March 1917 22 February 1920
13
William Lamond Allardyce
Sir William Allardyce
Sir William Allardyce 16 April 1920 27 January 1922
14
James O'Grady
Sir James O'Grady
Sir James O'Grady 23 December 1924 23 December 1930
15
Sir Ernest Clark
Sir Ernest Clark
Sir Ernest Clark 4 August 1933 4 August 1945
16
Hugh Binney
Sir Hugh Binney
Admiral Sir Hugh Binney 24 December 1945 8 May 1951
17
Ronald Cross
Sir Ronald Cross
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
James Plimsoll 1958-02 (cropped)
Sir James Plimsoll
Sir James Plimsoll 1 October 1982 8 May 1987
23
Sir Phillip Bennett preparing to lay wreath, May 7, 1992
Sir Phillip Bennett
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
Peter Underwood 2012
Peter Underwood
The Hon. Peter Underwood 2 April 2008 7 July 2014
28
Kate Warner 2016
Kate Warner
The Hon. Professor Kate Warner 10 December 2014 9 June 2021
29
Barbara Baker 2022
Barbara Baker
The Hon. Barbara Baker 16 June 2021 present
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