Marie Bashir facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Honourable Dame Marie Bashir AD CVO FTSE
Bashir in 2008
37th Governor of New South Wales
In office 1 March 2001 – 1 October 2014
Monarch	Elizabeth II
Premier	Bob Carr Morris Iemma Nathan Rees Kristina Keneally Barry O'Farrell Mike Baird
Preceded by	Gordon Samuels
Succeeded by	David Hurley
Lieutenant	James Spigelman Tom Bathurst
17th Chancellor of the University of Sydney
In office 1 June 2007 – 15 December 2012
Vice-Chancellor	Gavin Brown Michael Spence
Preceded by	Kim Santow
Succeeded by	Belinda Hutchinson
Personal details
Born	Marie Roslyn Bashir (1930-12-01) 1 December 1930 (age 94) Narrandera, New South Wales, Australia
Spouse	Sir Nicholas Shehadie ​ ​ (m. 1957; died 2018)​
Children	3
Residences	Mosman, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Alma mater	University of Sydney
Occupation	Psychiatrist
Profession	Medicine and psychiatry

Dame Marie Roslyn Bashir (born 1 December 1930) is a very important Australian who served as the Governor of New South Wales. She was the first woman to hold this role and the second longest-serving governor. Born in Narrandera, New South Wales, Marie Bashir studied at the University of Sydney. She became a doctor in 1956, focusing on mental health. Before becoming Governor in 2001, she led mental health services in Sydney. She was also the head of the University of Sydney from 2007 to 2012. Marie Bashir retired as Governor on 1 October 2014.

Early Life and Education

Marie Roslyn Bashir was born in 1930 in Narrandera, New South Wales. Her parents, Michael Bashir and Victoria Melick, were from Lebanon. Both her father and her uncle were doctors. Her mother's family had moved to Australia in the 1800s.

Marie went to Narrandera Public School. In 1943, she started at Sydney Girls High School, just like her mother had. To attend this school, Marie moved to Sydney and lived with her grandmother. After finishing high school in 1947, she studied music at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. She became a skilled violinist.

In 1956, Marie completed her medical degrees (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) at the Sydney Medical School at the University of Sydney. She lived at The Women's College during her studies. In 1957, she married Nicholas Shehadie, a rugby player. They had three children: Michael, Susan, and Alexandra.

Medical Career and Helping Others

After becoming a doctor, Marie Bashir worked at St Vincent's Hospital and then at the Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children. She also worked as a family doctor in Western Sydney. Marie wanted to help people with mental health issues, so she decided to study psychiatry. In 1968, her family moved to Mosman in Sydney, which became their main home for many years.

When her husband, Nicholas Shehadie, became the Lord Mayor of Sydney, Marie Bashir became the Lady Mayoress from 1973 to 1975. In 1974, she was named "Mother of the Year" in New South Wales. She felt this showed that society was starting to accept mothers who also worked.

Marie became a specialist in psychiatry in 1971. From 1972, she taught medical students at the University of Sydney. In 1972, she became the Director of the Rivendell Child, Adolescent and Family Service. This service helps young people with emotional and mental health problems.

The Rivendell Unit in Concord West, where Bashir served as founding Director, 1972–1988.

In 1987, she became director of Community Health Services in Central Sydney. This role focused on health for young children, migrants, Indigenous people, and the elderly. In 1988, she received the Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) award for her work in medicine, especially in youth mental health.

From 1993, she was a professor of psychiatry at the University of Sydney. She also became the Clinical Director of Mental Health Services for Central Sydney in 1994. She helped make big changes to how mental health services were provided. Marie also helped create teaching programs between Australian psychiatrists and those in Vietnam and Thailand.

In 1995, she helped set up the Aboriginal Mental Health Unit with the Aboriginal Medical Service. This unit provides clinics and counselling for Indigenous Australians. Marie also worked to support young people and juvenile justice, chairing the NSW Juvenile Justice Advisory Council for many years. In 2001, she received the Centenary Medal for her contributions.

Governor of New South Wales

In early 2001, Queen Elizabeth II, on the advice of Premier Bob Carr, appointed Marie Bashir as the Governor of New South Wales. This made her the first female governor of the state and the first governor of Lebanese background. She officially started her role on 1 March 2001. Soon after, she was awarded the Companion of the Order of Australia (AC). Many people welcomed her appointment, seeing her as a strong voice for those who needed help.

As Governor, Marie Bashir brought new ideas to the role. She started a health program to support Indigenous medical and nursing students and worked towards reconciliation for Indigenous Australians. She also became a patron of the Gay and Lesbian Counselling Service, showing support for the LGBT community. In 2005, she opened the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival, speaking about the importance of diversity and freedom in society.

Marie Bashir also became involved in health programs in Vietnam and was a patron of many arts organisations like Opera Australia and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. In 2003, she received an award from Thailand for her work in mental health programs. In 2004, she was named an Australian Living Treasure. She also received an award from the President of Lebanon. Her term as governor was extended several times due to her excellent work.

In 2007, Marie Bashir was chosen to be the Chancellor of the University of Sydney, a role she held until 2012. As the longest-serving state governor at the time, she often acted as the Administrator of the Commonwealth when the Governor-General of Australia was away.

In 2010, the Mosman Municipal Council named a new sports centre the "Marie Bashir Mosman Sports Centre" in her honour. In 2011, Premier Barry O'Farrell announced that her term as governor would be extended again. He praised her caring nature, her interest in communities, and her hard work.

Bashir taking part in the 2013 Anzac Day parade in Sydney.

In 2011, Marie Bashir agreed to move back into Government House, Sydney, the official residence of the Governor. It had not been used as a home for many years, so renovations were planned.

In 2012, she received another high honour from the President of Lebanon. She also announced her plan to retire as Chancellor of the University of Sydney. In 2013, she received another award from France.

In October 2013, a new primary school in Strathfield was named the "Marie Bashir Public School" to honour her. The Premier noted that she achieved great things after attending public schools. In December 2013, the University of Sydney renamed its infectious diseases institute the Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity (MBI).

In 2014, Marie Bashir was made a Dame of the Order of Australia for her amazing service to New South Wales, medicine, mental health, and education. Her official portrait as governor was also unveiled.

Retirement and Continuing Work

Marie Bashir retired as Governor on 1 October 2014. She said it was the right time to leave, just before reaching the record for the longest-serving governor. She wanted to honour Sir Roden Cutler, a war hero who held the record.

After retiring, Marie Bashir continued her community work. She is especially interested in helping Australian Defence Force veterans who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. She also serves as a patron for the Australian Indigenous Education Foundation and the NAISDA Foundation, which supports Indigenous dance education.

Honours and Awards

Marie Bashir has received many important awards and honours throughout her life.

Titles

Viceregal styles of Dame Marie Bashir
Reference style	Her Excellency
Spoken style	Your Excellency

Her full title as Governor was: Her Excellency Professor The Honourable Dame Marie Bashir, Dame of the Order of Australia, Commander of the Royal Victorian Order, Governor of the State of New South Wales in the Commonwealth of Australia.

Awards and Medals

	Dame of the Order of Australia (AD)	2014
	Companion of the Order of Australia (AC)	2001
	Officer of the Order of Australia (AO)	1988
	Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO)	2006
	Dame of Grace of the Order of St John of Jerusalem	2001
	Centenary Medal	2001
	Grand Cordon of the National Order of the Cedar (Lebanon)	2012
	Grand Officer of the National Order of the Cedar (Lebanon)	2004
	Officer of the Legion of Honour (France)	2014
	Chevalier of the Legion of Honour (France)	2009

Other Recognitions

• Commissioner's Commendation for Service (2014) – from the New South Wales Police Force
• Commissioner's Sesquicentenary Unit Citation (2014) – from the New South Wales Police Force
• Medal of the Library Council of New South Wales (2014) – from the State Library of New South Wales
• Distinguished Service Medal – Gold (2016) – from The Duke of Edinburgh's Award

Special Appointments

• 1980: Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (FRANZCP).
• 2004: Honorary Member of the United Nations Development Fund for Women.
• 2006: Honorary Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (Hon.FTSE).
• 2007: Honorary Member of the Australian Medical Association.

Honorary University Degrees

Marie Bashir has received many honorary degrees from universities, recognizing her achievements:

• 2002: Honorary Doctorate from the Australian Catholic University.
• 2002: Honorary Doctor of Medicine from the University of Sydney.
• 2004: Honorary Doctorate from Southern Cross University.
• 2004: Honorary Doctor of Science from the University of New South Wales.
• 2007: Honorary Doctor of Science from the University of Wollongong.
• 2012: Honorary Doctorate from Macquarie University.
• 2014: Honorary Doctor of Letters from the University of Western Sydney.

Honorary Military and Police Roles

• 2001: Honorary and Regimental Colonel in the Royal New South Wales Regiment.
• 2001: Honorary Air Commodore of No. 22 Squadron Royal Australian Air Force.
• 2008: Honorary Commodore, Navy Warfare Training, Royal Australian Navy.
• 2014: Honorary Governor of the New South Wales Police Force.

Things Named in Her Honour

• Marie Bashir Peace Awards, National Council of Women of New South Wales.
• Marie Bashir Mosman Sports Centre, Mosman.
• Marie Bashir Public School, Strathfield.
• Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity (MBI), University of Sydney.
• Governor Marie Bashir Reading Room, State Library of New South Wales.
• Professor Marie Bashir Centre, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown.