Governor of Victoria Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Governor of Victoria
The Governor's Standard
Incumbent Margaret Gardner since 9 August 2023
Viceregal
Style	Her Excellency the Honourable
Residence	Government House, Melbourne
Seat	Melbourne
Appointer	Monarch on the advice of the premier
Term length	At His Majesty's pleasure (typically 5 years)
Formation	22 May 1855
First holder	Charles Hotham
Deputy	Lieutenant-Governor of Victoria
Salary	$485,000 (2022)

The governor of Victoria is a very important person in the Australian state of Victoria. They act as the representative of the King, currently King Charles III.

The King chooses the governor based on advice from the Premier of Victoria. The governor's main job is to represent the King. This means they do many official duties. These include opening and closing the Victorian Parliament. They also appoint the government's ministers and approve new laws.

The governor's main office and home is Government House. It is located next to the Royal Botanic Gardens in Melbourne.

The current governor of Victoria is Margaret Gardner. She became governor in August 2023. She took over from Linda Dessau.

What Does the Governor Do?
- Governor's Powers
The Governor's Flag
Other Important Roles
Australian Governors
Past Governors of Victoria
- Lieutenant-governors (1851-1855)
- Governors (1855-Present)
See also

What Does the Governor Do?

The governor has several important jobs. They are appointed by the King. This happens after the Premier of Victoria suggests a person for the role. The governor serves "At His Majesty's pleasure". This means their term can end at any time if the King, on the Premier's advice, decides so.

Since the Australia Acts 1986 were passed, the governor acts as the head of state in Victoria. They use all the powers of this role. The King does not direct or supervise them. Instead, the governor acts on the advice of the Premier. When appointed, the governor becomes a viceroy. This means they act on behalf of the King.

The governor's responsibilities fit into three main areas:

Constitutional: Making sure the government follows the rules.
Ceremonial: Attending official events and representing Victoria.
Community: Meeting people and supporting different groups in the community.

Governor's Powers

Victoria's government uses a system called the Westminster system. In this system, the governor almost always follows the advice of the Premier. The Premier leads the elected government.

However, the governor still has some special powers. These are called the reserve powers of the Crown. For example, the governor has the power to dismiss the Premier in rare situations.

The Governor's Flag

The governor of Victoria has their own special flag. It is similar to the state flag of Victoria. But instead of a blue background, it has a gold background. It also shows red stars that form the Southern Cross. Above the Southern Cross is the Royal Crown.

This flag has been used since 1984. Before that, governors used a different flag. It was the Union Jack with Victoria's badge in the middle.

The governor's flag flies at Government House. It is also flown on cars carrying the governor. When the governor is away from Victoria, the flag is lowered at Government House.

Past and present flags of the governor

1870–1877
1877–1901
1901–1984
1984–present

Other Important Roles

There are also a lieutenant-governor and an administrator. These roles help make sure Victoria always has someone acting as head of state.

The lieutenant-governor takes over if the governor's position is empty. They also step in if the governor is out of Victoria or cannot do their job.
The administrator takes on these duties if both the governor and lieutenant-governor are unavailable. The Chief Justice of Victoria usually holds this role.

The current lieutenant-governor is James Angus. He was appointed in November 2021.

Australian Governors

For many years, the governors of Victoria were usually British. This changed after 1986. The Australia Acts made it so that Australian states could appoint their own governors.

Since 1974, all governors of Victoria have been Australian citizens. Some were born overseas but moved to Australia when they were young. For example, David de Kretser was born in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). Alex Chernov was born in Lithuania. Both came to Australia as children.

Past Governors of Victoria

Victoria became a separate colony from New South Wales in 1851. Before that, it was called the Port Phillip District. The Governor of New South Wales appointed superintendents for the district.

In 1839, Charles La Trobe became superintendent. He then became the first lieutenant-governor of Victoria in 1851.

Lieutenant-governors (1851-1855)

No.	Image	Lieutenant-governor	From	To
1		Captain Charles La Trobe	1 July 1851	5 May 1854
2		Captain Sir Charles Hotham KCB RN	22 June 1854	22 May 1855

Governors (1855-Present)

No.	Governor	From	To	Notes
1	Sir Charles Hotham KCB	22 May 1855	31 December 1855	Edward Macarthur was administrator from January to December 1856
2	Sir Henry Barkly GCMG KCB FRS FRGS	26 December 1856	10 September 1863
3	Sir Charles Darling KCB	11 September 1863	7 May 1866	George Carey acted May to August 1866
4	The Rt Hon. Viscount Canterbury GCMG KCB	15 August 1866	2 March 1873
5	The Rt Hon Sir George Bowen GCMG	30 July 1873	22 February 1879
6	The Most Hon. Marquess of Normanby GCB GCMG PC	29 April 1879	18 April 1884
7	Sir Henry Brougham Loch GCMG KCB	15 July 1884	15 November 1889
8	The Right Hon. Earl of Hopetoun KT GCMG GCVO PC	28 November 1889	12 July 1895
9	The Rt Hon. Lord Brassey GCB JP DL TD	25 October 1895	31 March 1900
10	Sir George Clarke KCMG	28 September 1901	24 November 1903
11	The Hon. Major-General Sir Reginald Talbot KCB	25 April 1904	6 July 1908
12	The Rt Hon. Lord Carmichael GCSI GCIE KCMG DL	27 July 1908	19 May 1911
13	The Rt Hon. Sir John Fuller Bt KCMG	24 May 1911	24 November 1913
14	Sir Arthur Stanley KCMG	23 February 1914	30 January 1920
15	The Rt Hon. Earl of Stradbroke KCMG CB CVO CBE VD TD	24 February 1921	7 April 1926
16	The Rt Hon. Lord Somers KCMG DSO MC	28 June 1926	23 June 1931
17	The Rt Hon. Lord Huntingfield KCMG	14 May 1934	4 April 1939
18	The Rt Hon. Major General Lord Dugan GCMG CB DSO	17 July 1939	20 February 1949
19	General Sir Reginald Dallas Brooks GCMG KCB KCVO DSO	18 October 1949	7 May 1963
20	Major General Sir Rohan Delacombe KCMG KCVO KBE CB DSO	8 May 1963	31 May 1974
21	The Hon. Sir Henry Winneke AC KCMG KCVO OBE QC	1 June 1974	28 February 1982
22	Rear Admiral Sir Brian Murray KCMG AO	1 March 1982	3 October 1985
23	The Reverend Dr Davis McCaughey AC	18 February 1986	22 April 1992
24	The Hon. Richard McGarvie AC QC	23 April 1992	23 April 1997
25	The Hon. Sir James Gobbo AC CVO QC	24 April 1997	31 December 2000
26	Mr. John Landy AC CVO MBE	1 January 2001	7 April 2006
27	Professor David de Kretser AC	7 April 2006	7 April 2011
28	The Hon. Alex Chernov AC KC	8 April 2011	30 June 2015
29	The Hon. Linda Dessau AC CVO	1 July 2015	30 June 2023
30	The Hon. Margaret Gardner AC	9 August 2023	Incumbent