Dame Marie Bashir | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 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 | 1 December 1930 Narrandera, New South Wales, Australia |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Children | 3 |
| Residence | Mosman, New South Wales, Australia |
| Alma mater | University of Sydney |
| Occupation | Psychiatrist |
| Profession | Medicine and Psychiatry |
Dame Marie Roslyn Bashir, AD, CVO (born 1 December 1930) is the former and second longest-serving Governor of New South Wales. Born in Narrandera, New South Wales, Bashir graduated from the University of Sydney in 1956 and held various medical positions, with a particular emphasis in psychiatry. In 1993 Bashir was appointed the Clinical Director of Mental Health Services for the Central Sydney Area Health Service, a position she held until appointed governor on 1 March 2001. She has also served as the Chancellor of the University of Sydney (2007–2012).
Bashir retired on 1 October 2014, and was succeeded as governor by General David Hurley.[1]
In late 2010, Mosman Municipal Council decided to name the new sports centre in Rawson Park for Bashir in recognition of her service to both New South Wales and the Mosman commun
In late 2010, Mosman Municipal Council decided to name the new sports centre in Rawson Park for Bashir in recognition of her service to both New South Wales and the Mosman community. She officially opened the "Marie Bashir Mosman Sports Centre" on 10 December 2010 with the Mayor, Anne Connon.[33][34] On 14 September 2011, Liberal Premier Barry O'Farrell announced that he had recommended to the Queen that Bashir's term be extended for another two years to 2014, which had been accepted: "Over the past 10 years the Governor's caring nature, her genuine interest in local communities and her extraordinary work rate have endeared her to people everywhere...Because of her diverse background, career and interests, Professor Bashir has given a historic and important post a contemporary relevance and resonance."[35]
On 19 April 2012, Bashir was presented with the insignia of a Grand Cordon of the National Order of the Cedar by the President of Lebanon, General Michel Suleiman, at Government House, Sydney, during his state visit to Australia.[37] At a meeting of the University of Sydney Senate in May 2012, Bashir announced her intention to retire as Chancellor.[38] At a ceremony marking her retirement as Chancellor, her portrait depicting Bashir as Chancellor by Shen Jiawei was unveiled, to hang in the Great Hall.[39] Also in April, it was announced that Bashir's term as governor, which had been expected to expire in February 2014, had been extended another six months to September 2
On 19 April 2012, Bashir was presented with the insignia of a Grand Cordon of the National Order of the Cedar by the President of Lebanon, General Michel Suleiman, at Government House, Sydney, during his state visit to Australia.[37] At a meeting of the University of Sydney Senate in May 2012, Bashir announced her intention to retire as Chancellor.[38] At a ceremony marking her retirement as Chancellor, her portrait depicting Bashir as Chancellor by Shen Jiawei was unveiled, to hang in the Great Hall.[39] Also in April, it was announced that Bashir's term as governor, which had been expected to expire in February 2014, had been extended another six months to September 2014, at which Bashir expressed her intention to retire.[40]
On 21 October 2013 Premier O'Farrell and the Minister for Education Adrian Piccoli announced that the new state primary school in Strathfield on the old site of the Sydney Adventist College would be named the "Marie Bashir Public School" in her honour. At the announcement O'Farrell noted that: "Naming this school after Professor Bashir honours her outstanding contribution to NSW and is a reminder that she achieved all her distinctions after being educated at public schools – from Narrandera Public School to Sydney Girls High School".[41] On 28 November 2013 the Premier of NSW announced that the Queen had given approval for the title of "The Honourable" to be accorded to the governors and former governors of New South Wales.[42] On 5 December 2013, the University of Sydney decided to rename the Sydney Emerging Infections and Biosecurity Institute in her honour to become the Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity (MBI).[43]
Bashir was promoted to the rank of Officer within the National Order of the Legion of Honour by the President of France, François Hollande, and invested with the insignia at a ceremony at Government House Sydney on 26 May 2013, by Général Regis Outtier, Secretary General of the Society of the Legion of Honour.[44]
In the 2014 Queen's Birthday Honours, Bashir was made a Dame of the Order of Australia "For extraordinary and pre-eminent achievement and merit in service to the administration, public life, and people of New South Wales, to medicine, particularly as an advocate for improved mental health outcomes for the young, marginalised and disadvantaged, to international relations, through the promotion of collaborative health programs, and as a leader in tertiary education".[45]
Ahead of her impending retirement from office on 1 October, Bashir noted that the time was right for her to go just short of the record in office set by Sir Roden Cutler: "a war hero who lost a leg serving this country, I would like to think of him as the longest serving governor"[46] and that "The time is right, It was myself who said I would conclude my term around the anniversary of World War One. That would mean that I would not exceed the longest term of Sir Roden Cutler for whom I had the greatest admiration and respect".[47] She also made clear her interest in continuing her community work, particularly through the area of post-traumatic stress disorder in Australian Defence Force veterans.[47] In September 2014, her official portrait as governor by Archibald Prize finalist Mathew Lynn was unveiled at Government House by Premier Mike Baird.[48]
As of November 2020[update] Bashir is one of three patrons of the [update] Bashir is one of three patrons of the Australian Indigenous Education Foundation.[49]
Bashir's style and title as governor in full 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.[50]
Honours
National and international
 |
Dame of the Order of Australia (AD) | 2014[45] |
| Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) | 2001[12] | |
| Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) | 1988[9&
|