Her Excellency the Honourable Barbara Baker AC, Governor of Tasmania, was pleased to make an official visit to the municipality of the Northern Midlands on Tuesday 25 February 2025.
Joined by her husband, Emeritus Professor Don Chalmers AO, Her Excellency visited schools, organisations and businesses in several Northern Midlands towns.
“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.
“Like many Tasmanians, I regularly pass through the Northern Midlands, stopping at Ross or Campbell Town for a break during drives on the Midland Highway.
“My official visit was a wonderful chance to slow down and spend more time in the municipality’s towns, meeting local residents and learning more about the exciting projects taking place there.”
Her Excellency began her day in Ross, where she met Northern Midlands Mayor Mary Knowles and other community members, learned about the Species Hotels helping Tasmania’s native wildlife and viewed the floating wetlands at the Ross Wastewater Treatment Plant.
She then headed to Campbell Town to talk with students at Campbell Town District High School and visit a new affordable housing development.
Her Excellency and Professor Chalmers were then delighted to be escorted by a penny farthing parade to the Evandale Community Centre, where they met with community volunteers.
Also in Evandale, they had lunch at the Tasmanian Gourmet Sauce Company before touring Launceston City Mission’s Missiondale facility.
As Patron of Eskleigh, Her Excellency was pleased to visit the organisation’s property in Perth where she learnt more about its work helping Tasmanians with disability.
She then toured local businesses the Mountford Berry Farm in Longford and X Hemp in Cressy, discovering more about their operations.
Her Excellency concluded her official visit at a Civic Reception at the Longford Memorial Hall, where she met more members of the community and unveiled the Longford Memorial Mosaic: Longford Stories.
“I would like to thank everyone who made us feel so welcome during our official visit to the Northern Midlands,” Her Excellency said.
“I am committed to education and youth engagement and enjoyed the opportunity to speak to young people about our system of government and answer questions about my role as Governor.
“I am always proud to witness Tasmanians helping each other, so it was great to visit organisations in the Northern Midlands that are undertaking important work in our community.
“I also enjoyed seeing the Northern Midlands’ rich cultural and sporting heritage on show and finding out about innovative Tasmanian businesses and sustainable projects.
“It was a pleasure to see such a diverse cross-section of the municipality, and I thank Mayor Knowles and the Northern Midlands Council for their hospitality in hosting us.”
Photographs courtesy Matthew Long/Tassie Visuals