Today there was an open day at NSW Government House, which is located in the Botanic Gardens. It was a fund-raiser for the support of victims of the bushfires in Victoria. The Governor, Professor Marie Bashir arrives in her Genral Motors (Holden) car. She doesn't use Government House as a residence, instead using it for ceremonial purposes, state dinners, and opening it to the public.
That's the Governor's leg appearing in the top photo. Can anyone suggest to me something quintessentially Australian about this picture, and I'm not thinking of the flag.
State governors are Vice-Regal representatives of the Queen (hence the crown instead of number plate). They are appointed by the Premier of the day (with the assent of the Queen), not elected as Governors in the US are. They have mainly ceremonial power, but have to assent to Bills passed in Aprliament, before they become law.Tomorrow, we will meet our lovely Governor.
And, best wishes for International Womens Day! Marie Bashir was the first woman Governor of NSW, and Quentin Bryce the Governor-General (she is the Vice-Regal rep in the federal arena) is the first female filling that role.
Drats ... should an Australian be allowed to hazzard a guess? If I am right it is a cultural thing rather than a visual thing ...
ReplyDeleteYes....
ReplyDeletegreat capture. And I am glad that you and Hilda have reminded us it is International Women's Day. I enjoy following your site and learning. Happy photo blogging!
ReplyDeleteGreat content!! Thoroughly enjoyed the visit!!
ReplyDeleteI came back to see if you had answered your question....but you haven't. I'm a pom, is it something to do with the salute?
ReplyDeleteJean
Anon: Apart fromthe fact she's wearing trousers, which is maybe a little unusual, it's that she's getting out of the FRONT seat of the car, having sat next to the driver. Have you EVER seen someone in public life emerge from the front seat?
ReplyDeleteAustralians are known for travelling in the front seat of a taxi, unlike most places in the world - becoming less common in big cities like Sydney, but still common .
The salute: My husband says he thought it was unusual too.
Ah, no I don't suppose people in the public eye would travel in the front over here.
ReplyDeleteJean