Linda Dessau facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Linda Dessau
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Dessau in 2019
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| 29th Governor of Victoria | |
| In office 1 July 2015 – 30 June 2023 |
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| Monarch | Elizabeth II Charles III |
| Premier | Daniel Andrews |
| Lieutenant | Marilyn Warren (2015–2017) Ken Lay (2017–2021) James Angus (2021–2023) |
| Preceded by | Alex Chernov |
| Succeeded by | Margaret Gardner |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Linda Marion Dessau
8 May 1953 East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
| Spouse |
Tony Howard
(m. 1982) |
| Children | 2 sons |
| Education | St Catherine’s School University of Melbourne |
| Profession | Jurist, barrister |
Linda Marion Dessau AC CVO (born 8 May 1953) is an Australian lawyer and judge. She served as the 29th governor of Victoria from 2015 to 2023. She was the first woman and the first Jewish person to hold this important role. Before becoming Governor, she was a judge in the Family Court of Australia from 1995 to 2013.
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Early Life and Education
Linda Dessau was born in Melbourne, Victoria, on 8 May 1953. She was the youngest of four children. Her father, John Dessau, came to Melbourne from Poland in 1929. He started by working in factories and later became a businessman. Her mother, Sybil, was born in Melbourne.
When she was younger, Dessau spent time in Israel. She lived for several months on a kibbutz, which is a type of community farm.
Dessau went to St Catherine's School, Toorak. She finished school at age sixteen. In 1973, she earned a law degree with honours from the University of Melbourne. She was the youngest person to graduate from their law program that year.
Career in Law
Linda Dessau became a lawyer in 1975. She first worked at a law firm in Melbourne, focusing on family law. Later, she worked as a barrister, which is a lawyer who argues cases in court.
In 1982, she moved to Hong Kong. There, she worked for the government as a lawyer, handling criminal trials and appeals. Dessau returned to Australia in 1985. The next year, she became a magistrate in the Magistrates' Court of Victoria. A magistrate is a judge who handles less serious cases. She oversaw the court's civil and family cases. In 1995, she was appointed as a judge to the Family Court of Australia.
Community Involvement
Linda Dessau has been involved in many community activities. In 2007, she joined the AFL Commission, which runs Australian Rules Football. She was only the second woman to be on the Commission. She supports the Essendon Football Club. In 1997, she helped start the Essendon Women's Network. This group has been active for over ten years, especially during the grand final week.
She also joined the board of the Melbourne Festival, which celebrates arts and culture. She became its president in 2014. From 2013, Dessau was a member of the Council of Trustees for the National Gallery of Victoria. She left this role in 2015 when she was chosen to be Governor.
In 2022, La Trobe University gave Dessau an honorary doctorate degree. They praised her as a leader and role model for women. They noted her work as a judge and her many community roles.
Serving as Governor
Linda Dessau served as the Governor of Victoria for eight years. This makes her the longest-serving Governor since 1974. The Governor is the King's representative in Victoria. They have important duties like approving laws and attending many community events.
In 2019, her term was extended for three more years. The premier of Victoria, Daniel Andrews, praised her and her husband. He said they had done a wonderful job representing Victoria. He also noted they made Government House more open and welcoming.
From 2021, Dessau also regularly served as the Administrator of the Commonwealth. This means she could act as the governor-general of Australia when the Governor-General was away.
La Trobe University also recognized her work as Governor. They said she performed her duties with great skill. She worked hard in the community and helped build international connections.
Dessau is one of five Jewish people to have held a high official role in Australia. Others include former governors-general Sir Isaac Isaacs and Sir Zelman Cowen.
In 2016, there were some questions about expenses for the Governor's official residence, Government House, Melbourne. Linda Dessau personally paid back some expenses for meals and shopping. A former employee also mentioned that the working environment at Government House was difficult.
Her term as Governor ended on 30 June 2023. Margaret Gardner took over the role as the 30th Governor of Victoria. The Premier thanked Dessau for her excellent leadership and kindness. He said she and her husband had supported Victoria's diverse community with grace.
Personal Life
Linda Dessau is married to Anthony Howard. He is a former judge of the County Court of Victoria. They married in 1982 and have two sons. In 2021, their son Ollie became engaged to Lauren Thurin.
Honours and Awards
| Viceregal styles of Linda Dessau (2015–2023) |
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| Reference style | Her Excellency the Honourable |
| Spoken style | Your Excellency |
Linda Dessau has received several important honours for her service:
In 2010, she became a Member of the Order of Australia (AM). This was for her work in the legal system, especially in family law, and for her community service.- In 2017, she was made a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC). This is a very high honour. It recognized her outstanding service to Victoria. It also noted her leadership in law, her work in business, and her support for charities, sports, and arts.
In 2016, she became a Dame of the Order of St John.
In 2023, she was made a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO).
She also received a Churchill Fellowship in 1994. This allowed her to travel to study ways to make court systems faster. In 2018, she was added to the Victorian Honour Roll of Women. This recognizes women who have made a big difference in Victoria.
