Saturday, 28 February
The Governor, Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, hosted the 2026 Scouts Victoria and Girl Guides Victoria Awards, where she presented recipients with their awards and gave a speech to mark the occasion.
Friday, 27 February 2026
Commencing a Regional Visit to Mansfield Shire, the Governor, Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, met with Councillor Steve Rabie, Mayor, and Tanya Tabone, Acting CEO, Mansfield Shire Council, and Therese Fitzgerald APM, Deputy Commissioner, Emergency Management Victoria, before receiving a briefing on the impacts of the Longwood bushfire on Mansfield Shire.
Following this, the Governor visited Mansfield Autism Statewide Services, where she met with Tesse de Vries, COO, and Kerri Grant, School Principal, before receiving a briefing and being escorted on a tour of the premises.
Then, the Governor visited the Mansfield Station Precinct, where she met with Greg Aldridge, Manager Capital Works, and Chloe Schlemitz, Project Coordinator, Mansfield Shire Council, before being escorted on a tour of the new Mansfield Heritage Museum with volunteers from the Mansfield Historical Society and receiving a briefing about future plans for the precinct.
Shortly after, the Governor received a briefing from Councillor Steve Rabie, Mayor, and Tanya Tabone, Acting CEO, Mansfield Shire Council, on the future Emergency Services Precinct project in Mansfield.
Concluding a Regional Visit to Mansfield Shire Council, the Governor visited Merton Hall, where she met with emergency services workers and community members affected the Longwood bushfire.
Continuing a Regional Visit the Governor travelled to Murrindindi Shire Council, where she met with Councillor Damien Gallagher, Mayor, and Livia Bonazzi, CEO, Murrindindi Shire Council, before attending a working lunch with Therese Fitzgerald APM, Deputy Commissioner, Emergency Management Victoria, Murrindindi Shire Council staff, and members of the community.
Later, the Governor visited Yarck Recovery Hub, where she met with volunteers.
Concluding a Regional Visit to Murrindindi Shire Council, the Governor visited the town of Fawcett, where she met with community members affected by the Longwood bushfire and received a briefing on local impacts and recovery needs.
In the morning at Government House, members of the public visited for a guided tour of the State Apartments and Kitchen Garden.
Thursday, 26 February 2026
Commencing a Regional Visit to Murrindindi Shire, the Governor, Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, visited the Mitchell and Murrindindi Shire Recovery Hub in Highlands, where she met with Councillor Damian Gallagher, Mayor, Murrindindi Shire Council, Councillor John Dougall, Mayor, Mitchell Shire Council, and Tim Wiebusch ESM, Commissioner, Emergency Management Victoria, before meeting with emergency services workers and community members affected by the Longwood bushfire.
In the afternoon, continuing her Regional Visit the Governor travelled to Strathbogie Shire, where she visited Fowles Winery, and met with Matt Fowles, Owner, before attending a working lunch with Councillor Scott Jeffery, Mayor, and Rachelle Quattrocchi, CEO, Strathbogie Shire Council, and Tim Wiebusch ESM, Commissioner, Emergency Management Victoria.
Following this, the Governor visited areas of the winery which were affected by the Longwood bushfire, where she received a briefing on its impact to Fowles Winery and other businesses in the region.
Then, the Governor visited the BlazeAid Longwood Basecamp at the Euroa Showground Men’s Shed, where she met with Debra Ong, Coordinator and Board Member, BlazeAid Euroa, before meeting with BlazeAid volunteers.
Concluding a visit to Strathbogie Shire, the Governor visited Lindsay Park, where she met with Sophie Steel, General Manager, and Gareth Downey, CEO, before being escorted on a tour of the property and receiving a briefing.
Wednesday, 25 February
The Governor, Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, as Patron-in-Chief, hosted an afternoon tea to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the National Ageing Research Institute, where she delivered an address to mark the occasion.
In the afternoon, the Governor received the call of Neil Hawkins, Australian Ambassador Designate to Israel.
Tuesday, 24 February
The Governor, Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, provided Royal Assent before presiding at a meeting of the Executive Council.
Later, the Governor received the welcome call of Jess Wilson MP, Leader of the Opposition.
Following this, the Governor received the farewell call of Dean Lee PSM, Chief Executive Officer, Shrine of Remembrance.
Monday, 23 February
In the morning at Government House, volunteers from The Johnston Collection visited for a morning tea and tour of the State Apartments and Kitchen Garden.
In the afternoon, members of the All Abilities Group from Ferntree Gully Tennis Club visited for the Tennis Program.
Friday, 20 February
The Governor, Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, attended the GROW Farming Festival where she met with Donna Coutts, Director, GROW Festival, before delivering a speech to mark the occasion and receiving a briefing and tour of the festival by committee members.
Later, the Governor received the call of His Excellency Mr Xiao Qian, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China, Fang Xinwen, Consul General of the People’s Republic of China and Zhao Minshu, attaché, Embassy of the People's Republic of China.
In the morning at Government House, members of the public visited for a guided tour of the gardens.
Thursday, 19 February
The Governor, Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, visited the V&A DIVA Exhibition at the Australian Museum of Performing Arts where she met with Karen Quinlan AM, Chief Executive Officer, Arts Centre Melbourne, Alisia Romanin, Executive Director, Development, Sandra Bruce, Director, Collections and Exhibitions, and Greta Williams, Government Partnerships Specialist, Arts Centre Melbourne.
Following this, the Governor met with Peter Jopling AM KC, Chair, and Clare McKenzie, Incoming Chief Executive Officer, Melbourne Art Foundation, before touring the 2026 Melbourne Art Fair.
Later, the Governor received the call of Professor Lynette Russell AM, Sir John Monash Distinguished Professor and Director, Monash Indigenous Studies Centre, Monash University.
In the evening at Government House, members of the First Nations Group visited for the Tennis Program.
Wednesday, 18 February
The Governor, Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, attended the Centenary of the Turning of the Sod at Melbourne High School where she met with Dr Tony Mordini, Principal, Eamon Tarr, School Captain and Jet Cheung, Vice-School Captain, Melbourne High School, before proceeding to reenact the 1926 turning of the sod with students and members of the school faculty and board. The Governor then watched the commencement of the Governor’s XI vs Melbourne High School’s XI cricket match.
Following this, the Governor received the welcome call of Chief Judge Amanda Chambers, County Court of Victoria.
In the afternoon, the Governor received the welcome call of Captain Ben Esler RAN, Senior Naval Officer for Victoria.
Tuesday, 17 February
The Governor, Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, provided Royal Assent before presiding at a meeting of the Executive Council.
Monday, 16 February
In the morning at Government House, volunteers from the National Trust of Australia visited for a guided tour of the State Apartments and Kitchen Garden.
In the afternoon, members of the public visited Government House for a guided twilight tour of the gardens.
Saturday, 14 February
The Governor, Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, and Professor Glyn Davis AC, alongside Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, Governor of New South Wales, and Mr Dennis Wilson, co-hosted a Vice Regal reception marking the conclusion of the 50th anniversary year of the Australian Honours and Awards system, as well as the 20th anniversary of the official proclamation of the Black-Allan Line at the Corowa Distilling Co. At the reception, the Governor gave an address to mark the occasion before investing Mr Barry Membrey OAM, as a member of the Order of Australia, in recognition of his service to the community of Albury Wodonga.
Friday, 13 February
The Governor, Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, hosted a reception to launch the 2026 PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival where she gave a speech to mark the occasion.
In the morning at Government House, members of the public visited for a guided tour of the State Apartments and Kitchen Garden.
Thursday, 12 February
The Governor, Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, hosted a State Lunch in honour of the visit to Victoria of His Excellency Mr Isaac Herzog, President of the State of Israel, and Mrs Michal Herzog, First Lady of the State of Israel.
In the evening, the Governor attended the opening night of the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra’s Baroque Masters at the Melbourne Recital Centre.
Wednesday, 11 February
The Governor, Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, accompanied by Professor Glyn Davis AC, hosted a lunch for the Lord Mayor and Councillors of the City Of Melbourne.
In the afternoon, the Governor attended the official opening of ARM Architecture’s Melbourne Studio, where she met with Ian McDougall, Co-Founder, and Andrea Wilson, Principal, ARM Architecture, before delivering an address to mark the occasion.
Tuesday, 10 February
The Governor, Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, provided Royal Assent before presiding at a meeting of the Executive Council.
Following this, the Governor visited the ‘Home Comforts’ exhibition hosted by The Johnston Collection.
In the afternoon, the Governor received the call of Professor Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen, Chief Executive Officer, Novo Nordisk Foundation, Dr Ulla Grove Krogsgaard Thomsen, Chief Executive Officer, Novo Nordisk Pharmatech A/S, and Professor Melissa Little AC, Chief Executive Officer, Novo Nordisk Foundation Centre for Stem Cell Medicine (reNEW).
Monday, 9 February
In the morning at Government House, members of the Uniting AgeWell Forest Hill Social Support Group visited for a guided tour of the State Apartments and Kitchen Garden.
In the afternoon, participants from Tennis Victoria’s LGBTQIA+ program participated in the Government House Tennis Program.
Friday, 6 February
The Governor, Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC attended a commemorative service in honour of Professor Emma Johnston AO, Vice-Chancellor, University of Melbourne.
In the afternoon at Government House, members of the Susan McKinnon Foundation visited for a guided tour of the State Apartments and Kitchen Garden.
Thursday, 5 February
The Governor, Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, in her capacity as University Visitor, presided over the installation of Claire Higgins as 7th Chancellor of Deakin University, where she delivered an address to mark the occasion.
In the evening, the Governor, accompanied by Professor Glyn Davis AC, attended the Melbourne Recital Centre’s 17th Anniversary Gala Dinner where they met with Peter McMullin AM, Chair, Melbourne Recital Centre.
In the afternoon at Government House, participants from All Abilities visited for the Tennis Program.
Wednesday, 4 February
The Governor, Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, met with the Honourable Chief Justice Richard Niall, Chief Justice, the Honourable Justice Karin Emerton, President of the Court of Appeal, and the Honourable Jane Dixon, Principal Judge of the Criminal Trial Division, Supreme Court of Victoria.
Then, the Governor hosted the swearing-in of the Honourable Justice Stephen Donaghue as a Judge of the Court of Appeal of the Supreme Court of Victoria, and the Honourable Justice Michael O’Connell and the Honourable Justice Diana Piekusis KC as Judges of the Supreme Court of Victoria.Tuesday, 3 February
The Governor, Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, presided at a meeting of the Executive Council.
Sunday, 1 February
The Governor, Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, attended the 2026 Australian Open Men’s Final at Rod Laver Arena.
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