THE Derwent Valley’s most prominent pair, Kate and Dick Warner, have today said farewell to Government House after nearly seven years while Professor Warner served as the 28th Governor of Tasmania. Premier Peter Gutwein said Tasmania’s first female governor would continue to be an inspiration to many.
“On behalf of the Tasmanian community, I would like to recognise the outstanding dedication and service of Her Excellency, Professor Kate Warner AM on her last official day in the role today,” Mr Gutwein said. “Her Excellency attended her last meeting with Cabinet on Monday and then my colleagues and I thanked her and her husband Dick Warner for their service to Tasmania, and wished them well for the future.”
Mr Gutwein said Professor Warner had served with great distinction since her appointment in 2014. “Both Her Excellency and Mr Warner are held in the highest regard by the Tasmanian community,” he said. “Her tenure will be remembered for her connection and commitment to many grassroots issues of importance to Tasmanians, and as the first woman to serve as Dean of the Tasmanian Law School and as our state’s first female governor, I’m certain Her Excellency will continue to be an inspiration to many young Tasmanians.”
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Mr Gutwein also thanked Professor Warner for continuing beyond her initial term while the State Government responded to the COVID-19 pandemic. “The extension provided stability to this important role while enabling us to focus on our ongoing response to the pandemic,” he said.
With Professor Warner’s departure from Government House, Lieutenant-Governor Alan Blow assumed the administration of the government until the swearing-in of Governor-Designate, Barbara Baker,” on June 16. “I wish Her Excellency and Mr Warner all the very best and thank them on behalf of all Tasmanians for their service to our state,” Mr Gutwein said.
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Prior to her appointment as governor in 2014, Professor Warner had lived at New Norfolk since marrying local farmer Dick Warner in 1971. They raised two daughters here and the family home, Valleyfield, is now occupied by the next generation of the family. On a recent visit to New Norfolk, Professor Warner said the couple had restored a cottage at Valleyfield and looked forward to spending more time there.
Picture: Professor and Mr Warner being farewelled at Government House this morning. Picture courtesy of Government House Tasmania.