Governor of Victoria

On 12 June 1996, a formation of six Black Hawk helicopters departed RAAF Townsville, carrying 15 members of the Special Air Service Regiment and 3 from the 5th Aviation Regiment. 
 
In a tragic accident, all 18 lost their lives that day - most of them in their early 30s, at the very beginning of promising careers. 
 
On Friday, the Governor attended a special service at the  to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Black Hawk Tragedy, in a memorial service led by the Australian Special Air Service Association Victoria (ASASA).  
 
A moment of reflection amongst ASASA members and their families.  
 

On 13 June 1876 an exhibition game of billiards was played in the Billiard Room at Government House.
 
The House was newly built, and Governor Sir George Bowen had yet to move in at the time.
 
The match marks the first example of an event being held at Government House Victoria.
 
One hundred and fifty years later, the billiard table used for the exhibition match remains at Government House.
 

This week saw the celebration of significant milestones for important not-for-profit organisations in Victoria, along with the celebration of the life of a great Victorian.
 
At Government House, the Governor hosted a reception to mark the 75th anniversary of the Helen Macpherson Smith Trust.
 
Later in the week, another reception commemorated the 30th anniversary of .
 
On Wednesday, the Governor officially opened the new warehouse in Altona to recognise this important new chapter for the charity and attended the State Funeral Service for Neale Daniher AO at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
 
The Governor also received the call of His Excellency Mr Nagesh Singh, High Commissioner for India.
 
Members of the public were also welcomed on a tour of the gardens and grounds at Government House. 
 

Rodney Bush OAM has been a pillar of the basketball community in Victoria for several decades. 
 
First as a player and later serving as a coach, Rodney has dedicated himself to sharing his passion for basketball with young people, helping many discover their own enthusiasm for the sport and providing stability through difficult times. 
 
Rodney is one of the recently named recipients in the King’s Birthday 2026 Honours List in recognition of his outstanding service to basketball and the wider community. 
 
Last Saturday, the Governor was pleased to present Rodney with the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) at Geelong Epworth, joined by his wife Patsy and their family. 
 
This occasion serves as a reminder of the core values of the Order of Australia: honouring those who dedicate their lives in service to others. 
 

Today is Thank a First Responder Day. 
 
We rightfully recognise and admire our emergency services workers - but we must also acknowledge that resilience and courage are not infinite resources, nor does the price paid fall on the workers alone. 
 
The Governor’s afternoon tea for emergency services workers, hosted last week with , was an opportunity to recognise these impacts. 
 
Today is a chance to and continue important conversations on how these workers can be best supported as part of the Governor’s ongoing engagement with the sector. 
 

Today the Governor-General has announced recipients in the 2026 King’s Birthday honours list.

For more than five decades, have helped to express our shared national values.

This year’s list recognises 198 Victorians, including Janet Calvert-Jones as Companion of the Order of Australia.

We look forward to welcoming all these outstanding Victorians and their guests to Government House for their investiture ceremonies later this year.

This week the Governor toured the ‘ROME: Empire, Power, People’ exhibition at Melbourne Museum.

As a former Chair of , the visit was an opportunity to see its ongoing work to create cultural and educational experiences for Victorian community.

The following day, the Governor – as Patron – hosted a morning tea for recipients of the Gold Level Award.

During the week, she also received the call of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment & Tourism for Sri Lanka, the farewell call of the Ambassador of Afghanistan, the call of the Commanding Officer and Regimental Sergeant Major of the 5th/6th Battalion, Royal Victoria Regiment, the call of Dr Ian Killey PSM, the call of the Consul-General of the People’s Republic of China and the call of the President of .

Each year, around the time of National Reconciliation Week, the Victorian Aboriginal Remembrance Service is held at the .



It’s an opportunity for all Victorians to honour the service of First Nations men and women, who have served, or continue to serve in the Australian Defence Force.



For a long time, their sacrifices were not acknowledged.



Attending this year’s ceremony, the Governor laid a wreath on behalf of the people of Victoria.

Photo credit to James Henry.

Last week the Governor hosted three significant receptions at Government House for different groups in the Victorian community.

Firstly, an awards ceremony recognised the contributions of staff and volunteers in Victoria.

This was followed by a reception to mark the 70th anniversary of and celebrate its contribution to conserving cultural heritage.

The next day, the Governor hosted an afternoon tea with where she was joined by members of emergency services organisations and their families.

Throughout the week, the Governor received several callers, including the Consul-General of Chile; Dame Susan Langley DBE, Lady Mayor of the City of London; and the Youth Governor of Victoria with staff from , as well as attending the launch event for .melbourne.

Concluding the week, on Sunday the Governor attend the Victorian Aboriginal Remembrance Service, at the Shrine of Remembrance.

As Victorians, we must ensure the efforts of our emergency services workers are never taken for granted – and we must do what we can to ease the burden it brings.

Just as they strive to protect life and limb, we must do our part in support of their wellbeing.

As Patron, the Governor hosted an afternoon tea with for members of emergency services organisations and their families.

The event is a small token of appreciation from a grateful State, and an acknowledgment of the challenges these workers face and our State’s commitment to supporting them and their families.