The New South Wales Governor, Her Excellency Margaret Beazley, has been appointed an honorary Commodore in the Royal Australian Navy at a ceremony aboard the Navy’s HMAS Canberra.
During the ceremony on the ship’s flight deck, the Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Michael Noonan presented the Governor with an officer’s tricorne hat and rank slides to reflect her appointment.
The ceremony was witnessed by the Governor’s husband, Dennis Wilson, and members of the ship’s company.
Vice Admiral Noonan said Governor Beazley’s support for the Navy and its connection to ships and bases in NSW, made her a strong ambassador to represent the service.
“When it comes to conferring honorary rank, we choose those who embody our values and understand our mission and what we do,” Vice Admiral Noonan said.
“Her Excellency’s honorary rank is not something that goes away when she ceases to be Governor of New South Wales – she has been charged to faithfully carry out her duties and represent Navy from this day forward.”
Governor Beazley also inspected the ship’s ceremonial guard and toured the ship’s facilities, including the bridge and flight deck.
Her honorary rank comes in addition to her appointment as an honorary Colonel in the Australian Army’s New South Wales Regiment.
