Governor of Tasmania facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Governor of Tasmania
Flag of the Governor
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

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  1875–1876

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  1876–1977

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  1977–present

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	Colonel Thomas Davey	4 February 1813	9 March 1817
2	William Sorell	Colonel William Sorell	9 March 1817	14 May 1824
3	Sir George Arthur	Sir George Arthur	14 May 1824	29 October 1836
4	Sir John Franklin	Sir John Franklin	5 January 1837	21 August 1843
5	Sir John Eardley-Wilmot	Sir John Eardley-Wilmot	21 August 1843	13 October 1846
6	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	8 January 1855	10 December 1861

Governors of Tasmania

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