Her Excellency the Honourable Barbara Baker AC, Governor of Tasmania, was pleased to make an official visit to the municipality of the Central Highlands on Friday 28 March 2025.
Joined by her husband, Emeritus Professor Don Chalmers AO, Her Excellency visited schools and local attractions and met many members of the community.
“One of my favourite parts of my role as Governor is undertaking official municipal visits and discovering more about all the fascinating things happening across all regions of our State,” Her Excellency said.
“My official visit was a wonderful chance to spend some time in the beautiful Central Highlands, meeting local residents and learning more about the community.”
Her Excellency began her day at the Bothwell District High School, where she spoke with students and toured the school’s facilities.
She then headed to the Central Highlands Visitor Centre and Australasian Golf Museum, where she met volunteers and learned more about the municipality’s rich history.
At the Central Highlands Council Chambers Her Excellency and Professor Chalmers met with two local community groups raising funds for important causes, the Bothwell Bunnies Relay Team and the founders of the Bothwell Sheep Station Cup.
They then headed to the oldest golf course in Australia at Ratho Farm near Bothwell, where they had lunch and toured the property.
Her Excellency concluded her official visit with an afternoon tea at the Great Lake Community Centre at Miena, where she visited the new geothermal greenhouse and Maker’s Shed and met with local volunteers, as well as some local wildlife.
“I would like to thank everyone who made us feel so welcome during our official visit to the Central Highlands,” Her Excellency said.
“I am committed to education and youth engagement and enjoyed the opportunity to speak to students at Bothwell District High School.
“I was also impressed by the community spirit displayed by volunteers raising funds for important causes, dedicating their time to helping others and working together on innovative projects.
“It was a pleasure to visit this close-knit community, and I thank the Central Highlands Council for their hospitality in hosting us.”