Editing Marie Bashir (section)

==Governor of NSW, other roles and honours==

In early 2001, on the recommendation of Premier [[Bob Carr]], [[Elizabeth II|Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia]], appointed Bashir [[Governor of New South Wales]], making her the state's first female governor, and the first governor of any Australian state of Lebanese descent. She was sworn in on 1 March 2001, and on 30 March she was appointed a [[Companion of the Order of Australia]] (AC).<ref name=AC>{{cite web |url=https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/885264 |title=Companion of the Order of Australia |date=30 March 2001 |publisher=itsanhonour.gov.au |quote='''Citation:''' In recognition of service as Governor of New South Wales |access-date=24 November 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190129181435/https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/885264 |archive-date=29 January 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Upon her appointment, ''[[Sydney Morning Herald]]'' journalist [[David Marr (journalist)|David Marr]] noted, "what could be more valuable behind the scenes in Macquarie St than this woman's unique expertise with troubled adolescents?"<ref>D.Marr, ''Sydney Morning Herald'', 2 March 2001.</ref> Bashir's appointment was welcomed by both sides of politics and commended in a ''Sydney Morning Herald'' editorial as "an inspired choice" as well as noting that Bashir would be "a powerful advocate for the powerless".<ref name=Clune619>Clune & Turner (2009) p.619</ref>

In that role, Bashir departed from past practice. For [[Indigenous Australians]], Bashir launched a health initiative to support Indigenous medicine and nursing students as well as supporting the progress of [[Reconciliation Australia|reconciliation]]. On the very day of her inauguration, Bashir agreed to become Patron of the Gay and Lesbian Counselling Service, which addresses mental and social issues in the [[LGBT]] community.<ref>{{cite web|title=Annual Report 2001-2002|url=http://www.glcsnsw.org.au/glcs-files/Annualreports/AnnualReport0102Reports.pdf|publisher=Gay and Lesbian Counselling Service of NSW|access-date=13 June 2014}}{{Dead link|date=December 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> This was the first time a NSW governor had supported a gay organisation. In 2005 Bashir opened the [[Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras]] Festival in a concert in [[Hyde Park, Sydney|Hyde Park]] and credited the event with fostering "that sense of freedom which springs from the considerable diversity within our society – diversity of race, religion, culture and also sexual orientation [...] We must never take these things for granted because most of you would agree that across the world today an extraordinary winding back to many previously discarded attitudes is taking place, not only affecting gay and lesbian groups, but women's health and many aspects of social justice".<ref>{{cite news|title=Concert opens Sydney Mardi Gras|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2005-02-05/concert-opens-sydney-mardi-gras/631368|access-date=13 June 2014|agency=ABC News|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|date=5 February 2005}}</ref>

In 2002, Bashir became Patron of the Australia-Vietnam Medical Trust and became intimately involved in collaborative health programs in Vietnam, particularly in rural areas.<ref name=Clune625>Clune & Turner (2009) p.625</ref> On 17 May 2001, the [[Governor-General of Australia|Governor-General]], [[William Deane|Sir William Deane]], invested Bashir as a Dame of Grace of the [[Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem]] (DStJ).<ref name=DStJ>{{cite web |url=http://www.gg.gov.au/program.php/view/id/114/ |title=Governor-General's Program – 17 May 2001 |publisher=[[Governor-General of Australia]] |access-date=3 March 2009 }}{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Having previously studied violin at the [[Conservatorium of Music, Sydney]], in 2002 Bashir was asked to become the Patron of the Sydney University Graduate Choir. She is also a Patron of [[Opera Australia]], the [[Sydney Symphony Orchestra]], [[Sydney Philharmonia Choirs]], [[Pinchgut Opera]] and the Australian Archaeological Institute at Athens.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.governor.nsw.gov.au/the-governor/patronage/list-of-patronages/ |title=List of Patronages » The Governor of NSW |access-date=15 August 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130411052142/http://www.governor.nsw.gov.au/the-governor/patronage/list-of-patronages/ |archive-date=11 April 2013}}</ref><ref name=SPL>{{cite web |url=http://www.sydneyphilharmonia.com.au/aboutus_board.html |title=Sydney Philharmonia Choirs. About us. |publisher=[[Sydney Philharmonia Choirs]] |access-date=15 August 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120317212802/http://www.sydneyphilharmonia.com.au/aboutus_board.html |archive-date=17 March 2012}}</ref>

In 2003 Bashir received the Mental Health Princess Award, awarded by [[Galyani Vadhana|Princess Galyani Vadhana of Thailand]], for contribution to collaborative mental health programs between Australia and Thailand, and in 2004 she was recognised as an [[Australian Living Treasures|Australian Living Treasure]].<ref name=nrhc/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nsw.nationaltrust.org.au/about/treasures.asp|title=Australia's Living National Treasures|publisher=[[National Trust of Australia]]|access-date=3 March 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091102151158/http://www.nsw.nationaltrust.org.au/about/treasures.asp|archive-date=2 November 2009}}</ref> In 2004 she was made an honorary Member of the [[United Nations Development Fund for Women]] (UNIFEM).<ref name=nrhc>{{cite web|url=http://9thnrhc.ruralhealth.org.au/keynotes/docs/transcript/bashir_KN_transcript.pdf|title=9th National Rural Health Conference|access-date=21 January 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110219230938/http://9thnrhc.ruralhealth.org.au/keynotes/docs/transcript/bashir_KN_transcript.pdf|archive-date=19 February 2011}}</ref> In March 2004, during a visit to Lebanon, Bashir was appointed a Grand Officer of the [[National Order of the Cedar]] by General [[Emile Lahoud]], President of the Republic of Lebanon.<ref name=GovNSWwebsite>{{cite web|title=Her Excellency Professor The Honourable Marie Bashir AC CVO|url=http://www.governor.nsw.gov.au/her-excellency-professor-the-honourable-marie-bashir-ac-cvo/her-excellency-professor-the-honourable-marie-bashir-ac-cvo/|publisher=Gorvernor of New South Wales – NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet|access-date=8 June 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517203615/http://www.governor.nsw.gov.au/her-excellency-professor-the-honourable-marie-bashir-ac-cvo/her-excellency-professor-the-honourable-marie-bashir-ac-cvo/|archive-date=17 May 2014}}</ref> On 14 September, Premier Carr announced that he would recommend to the Queen that Bashir's term be extended for another three years. Buckingham Palace confirmed his recommendation on 1 October saying that: "The Queen is content for Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC, to remain in her current position until February 2008 as recommended."<ref name=Parl1>{{cite web| title=Governor of New South Wales Reappointment| work=Hansard| publisher=NSW Parliament| date=26 October 2004| url=http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/hansart.nsf/V3Key/LA20041026003| access-date=22 August 2010| archive-date=19 January 2012| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119172952/http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/hansart.nsf/V3Key/LA20041026003| url-status=dead}}</ref>

On 31 March 2006, the Queen appointed her a [[Commander of the Royal Victorian Order]] (CVO).<ref name=CVO>[https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/1129467 Commander of the Royal Victorian Order] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090803235554/http://www.itsanhonour.gov.au/honours/honour_roll/search.cfm?aus_award_id=1129467&search_type=quick&showInd=true |date=3 August 2009 }}, CVO, 31 March 2006, itsanhonour.gov.au<br />'''Citation:''' ''Governor of New South Wales''.</ref> Bashir was involved in the high-profile legal case against a psychiatrist called Dr Brendan O' Sullivan and the NSW health service, in which she was falsely cited in his dismissal; using the opportunity to claim [[sovereign immunity]], usually only used by the Crown.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Ruth|first1=Pollard|title=Governor falsely cited in doctor's dismissal|url=https://www.smh.com.au/news/national/governor-falsely-cited-in-doctors-dismissal/2006/06/29/1151174333914.html|access-date=5 November 2014|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=30 June 2006}}</ref>

In April 2007 Bashir was elected by the University Senate to take up a four-year appointment as Chancellor of the [[University of Sydney]] on 1 June 2007.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.smh.com.au/news/National/Bashir-named-Uni-of-Sydney-chancellor/2007/04/30/1177788063827.html|title= Bashir named Uni of Sydney chancellor|date= 30 April 2007|access-date=9 August 2010|work= [[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |publisher=[[Fairfax Media]] }}</ref> It was announced on 15 October 2007 that the Queen, on the recommendation of Premier [[Morris Iemma]], had extended Bashir's appointment as governor for a further four years to February 2012.<ref>{{cite news| title = NSW Governor Bashir to stay on| work = [[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]]| publisher = [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]]| date = 15 October 2007| url = http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/10/15/2059508.htm?site=news| archive-url = https://archive.today/20120724125728/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/10/15/2059508.htm?site=news| url-status = dead| archive-date = 24 July 2012| access-date=22 August 2010}}</ref> On 4 November 2009, she was invested as a Chevalier of the [[Légion d'Honneur|Ordre National de la Légion d'Honneur]] by the then President of France, [[Nicolas Sarkozy]], and presented by the Ambassador of France to Australia, Michel Filhol.<ref name=LoH>{{cite web| url = http://www.ambafrance-au.org/france_australie/spip.php?article3650| title = Official inauguration of the new building of the Sydney Alliance Française| publisher = French Embassy, Australia| access-date = 21 January 2010| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100617024725/http://www.ambafrance-au.org/france_australie/spip.php?article3650| archive-date = 17 June 2010}}</ref>

As the longest-serving incumbent state governor, Bashir held a [[dormant commission]] to act as the [[Administrator (Australia)|Administrator of the Commonwealth]] when the [[Governor-General of Australia]] was absent from Australia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ag.gov.au/portal/govgazonline.nsf/85B98B2949AD84ACCA256D580002A424/$file/S205.pdf |title=Royal sign manual – Commission |publisher=[[Commonwealth of Australia]] |work=Gazette S205 |date=17 June 2003 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120121182757/http://www.ag.gov.au/portal/govgazonline.nsf/85B98B2949AD84ACCA256D580002A424/%24file/S205.pdf |archive-date=21 January 2012 }}</ref> She held the position of Administrator many times: from 10 to 17 July 2007, 30 September to 12 October 2007, and 20 April to 4 May 2008 in the absence of [[Michael Jeffery (Australian Army officer)|Michael Jeffery]], and from 30 July to 6 August 2008, 5 to 19 November 2008, 17 March to 2 April 2009, and 7 to 12 June 2010, in the absence of [[Quentin Bryce]].

In May–June 2010, the New South Wales Government experienced a series of resignations: [[Karyn Paluzzano]] over expenses abuse, [[David Campbell (Australian politician)|David Campbell]] over a personal scandal, [[Ian Macdonald (New South Wales politician)|Ian Macdonald]] over expenses abuse and [[Graham West]]'s retirement. These were widely seen as highlighting the NSW Government's inability to govern effectively and in response to this there were various calls for Bashir to take action as governor and dismiss the government.<ref>{{cite news| url = https://www.theage.com.au/national/nsw-ministers-quit-forcing-new-reshuffle-20100605-xl35.html| title = NSW ministers quit, forcing new reshuffle| date = 5 June 2010| access-date=22 August 2010| publisher = Fairfax Media| work = [[The Age]] | location = Melbourne| first = Adam| last = Bennett}}</ref> She played down these calls in a radio interview on 10 June, saying that:
{{quote|"The only way that they [the NSW Government] can disappear, so to speak, is if there's a vote of no confidence... Elections do come round from time to time so it's back in the hands of the people."<ref>{{cite news| title = Governor can't sack NSW Government| work = ABC News| publisher = Australian Broadcasting Corporation| date = 10 June 2010| url = http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/06/10/2923555.htm| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100613222427/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/06/10/2923555.htm| url-status = dead| archive-date = 13 June 2010| access-date= 22 August 2010}}</ref>}}

In late 2010, [[Mosman Municipal Council]] decided to name the new sports centre in Rawson Park for Bashir in recognition of her service to both New South Wales and the Mosman community. She officially opened the "Marie Bashir Mosman Sports Centre" on 10 December 2010 with the Mayor, Anne Connon.<ref name=mos>{{cite news |title=Sports hub named after Marie Bashir |publisher=The Mosman Daily |date=30 October 2010 |url=http://mosman-daily.whereilive.com.au/news/story/sports-hub-named-after-bashir/ |access-date=31 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101216014054/http://mosman-daily.whereilive.com.au/news/story/sports-hub-named-after-bashir/ |archive-date=16 December 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Play begins at sports facility |publisher=The Mosman Daily |date=12 December 2010 |url=http://mosman-daily.whereilive.com.au/news/story/play-begins-at-sports-facility/ |access-date=31 August 2010}}</ref> On 14 September 2011, Liberal Premier [[Barry O'Farrell]] announced that he had recommended to the Queen that Bashir's term be extended for another two years to 2014, which had been accepted: "Over the past 10 years the Governor's caring nature, her genuine interest in local communities and her extraordinary work rate have endeared her to people everywhere...Because of her diverse background, career and interests, Professor Bashir has given a historic and important post a contemporary relevance and resonance."<ref>{{cite web| title=Governor of New South Wales| work=Hansard| publisher=NSW Parliament| date=14 September 2011| url=http://parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/PARLMENT/hansArt.nsf/V3Key/LA20110914010?open&refNavID=HA8_1| access-date=23 September 2011| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120323120913/http://parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/PARLMENT/hansArt.nsf/V3Key/LA20110914010?open&refNavID=HA8_1| archive-date=23 March 2012}}</ref>
[[File:ANZAC Day Parade 2013 in Sydney - 8680142992.jpg|thumb|right|Bashir taking part in the 2013 [[Anzac Day]] parade in Sydney.]]

From the time of her commencement as governor, Bashir, like her immediate predecessor, did not reside in [[Government House, Sydney]], retaining it for reception and official purposes. However, in October 2011, the new Premier [[Barry O'Farrell]] announced that Bashir had agreed with O'Farrell's offer to move back into Government House: "A lot of people believe the Governor should live at Government House. That's what it was built for ... [A]t some stage a rural or regional governor will be appointed and we will need to provide accommodation at Government House so it makes sense to provide appropriate living areas". However, because Government House has not been a residence for fifteen years, O'Farrell also announced that the Bashir would initially move into a smaller adjacent building, called the chalet, while refurbishments of the main wing occur, with a proposed move into the main house "before Christmas".<ref name=return>{{cite news |url= http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/sydney-nsw/governor-marie-bashir-makes-a-grand-return-home-to-government-house/story-e6freuzi-1226160666275 |title= Governor Marie Bashir makes a grand return home to Government House |newspaper= The Daily Telegraph |date= 7 October 2011 |access-date= 21 June 2012 |archive-date= 27 October 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20111027134931/http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/sydney-nsw/governor-marie-bashir-makes-a-grand-return-home-to-government-house/story-e6freuzi-1226160666275 |url-status= dead }}</ref>

On 19 April 2012, Bashir was presented with the insignia of a Grand Cordon of the National Order of the Cedar by the President of Lebanon, General [[Michel Suleiman]], at Government House, Sydney, during his state visit to Australia.<ref name=GrandCord>{{cite press release| title = Statement on the visit of the President of Lebanon| publisher = Office of the Prime Minister| date = 16 April 2012| url = http://www.pm.gov.au/press-office/joint-statement-president-lebanon| access-date = 19 April 2012| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://archive.today/20121127071855/http://www.pm.gov.au/press-office/joint-statement-president-lebanon| archive-date = 27 November 2012}}</ref> At a meeting of the University of Sydney Senate in May 2012, Bashir announced her intention to retire as Chancellor.<ref>{{cite web| title=Senate Meetings| work=Decisions of the Senate| publisher=University of Sydney| date=7 May 2012| url=http://sydney.edu.au/senate/decisions_3_2012.shtml| access-date=12 May 2012| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120515082826/http://sydney.edu.au/senate/decisions_3_2012.shtml| archive-date=15 May 2012| url-status=dead}}</ref> At a ceremony marking her retirement as Chancellor, her portrait depicting Bashir as Chancellor by [[Shen Jiawei]] was unveiled, to hang in the Great Hall.<ref>{{cite web|title=Celebrating Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO|url=http://sydney.edu.au/news/84.html?newsstoryid=10746|work=News|publisher=University of Sydney|access-date=18 April 2014|date=13 December 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140419144412/http://sydney.edu.au/news/84.html?newsstoryid=10746|archive-date=19 April 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> Also in April, it was announced that Bashir's term as governor, which had been expected to expire in February 2014, had been extended another six months to September 2014, at which Bashir expressed her intention to retire.<ref>{{cite news|title=NSW Governor Marie Bashir to retire|url=https://www.dailyadvertiser.com.au/story/1444575/nsw-governor-marie-bashir-to-retire/|access-date=2 April 2014|newspaper=[[The Daily Advertiser (Wagga Wagga)|The Daily Advertiser]]|date=19 April 2013}}</ref>

On  26 May 2013, Bashir was promoted to the rank of Officer within the [[Légion d'Honneur|Ordre National de la Légion d'Honneur]] by the then President of France, [[François Hollande]], and invested with the insignia at a ceremony at Government House Sydney by Général Regis Outtier, Secretary General of the Society of the Légion d'Honneur.<ref name =OLoH>{{cite news|title=Vice Regal Column|newspaper=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|date=27 May 2014}}</ref>

On 21 October 2013 Premier O'Farrell and the Minister for Education [[Adrian Piccoli]] announced that the new state primary school in [[Strathfield, New South Wales|Strathfield]] on the old site of the [[Sydney Adventist College]] would be named the "Marie Bashir Public School" in her honour. At the announcement O'Farrell noted that: "Naming this school after Professor Bashir honours her outstanding contribution to NSW and is a reminder that she achieved all her distinctions after being educated at public schools – from Narrandera Public School to Sydney Girls High School".<ref name=MBPS>{{cite web|last=Press Release|title=Marie Bashir Public School: new school named in honour of NSW Governor|url=http://www.nsw.gov.au/news/marie-bashir-public-school-new-school-named-honour-nsw-governor|publisher=NSW Government|access-date=9 December 2013|date=21 October 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212033449/http://www.nsw.gov.au/news/marie-bashir-public-school-new-school-named-honour-nsw-governor|archive-date=12 December 2013}}</ref> On 28 November 2013 the Premier of NSW announced that the Queen had given approval for the title of "[[The Honourable]]" to be accorded to the governors and former governors of New South Wales.<ref>{{cite news|title=The title 'The Honourable' for Governors of New South Wales|url=http://www.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/government-gazette-6-december-2013_0.pdf|access-date=9 December 2013|newspaper=New South Wales Government Gazette|date=6 December 2013|page=5716|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212002246/http://www.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/government-gazette-6-december-2013_0.pdf|archive-date=12 December 2013}}</ref>

On 5 December 2013, the University of Sydney decided to rename the Sydney Emerging Infections and Biosecurity Institute in her honour to become the Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity (MBI).<ref name=MBI>{{cite web|title=MBI – The University of Sydney|url=http://sydney.edu.au/mbi/|publisher=University of Sydney|access-date=2 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140429064224/http://sydney.edu.au/mbi/|archive-date=29 April 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> Also in December 2013, Bashir became patron of the [[NAISDA Dance College|NAISDA Foundation]].<ref name=naisda>{{cite web | title=NAISDA Foundation Patron and Board | website=[[NAISDA Dance College]] | url=https://naisda.com.au/departments/board-members/ | access-date=8 December 2021}}</ref>

In the [[2014 Queen's Birthday Honours (Australia)|2014 Queen's Birthday Honours]], Bashir was made a [[Dame of the Order of Australia]] "For extraordinary and pre-eminent achievement and merit in service to the administration, public life, and people of New South Wales, to medicine, particularly as an advocate for improved mental health outcomes for the young, marginalised and disadvantaged, to international relations, through the promotion of collaborative health programs, and as a leader in tertiary education".<ref name=AD>{{cite web|title=The Queen's Birthday 2014 Honours List – Gazette 1 Order of Australia|url=http://gg.gov.au/sites/default/files/files/honours/qb/qb2014/Gazette%201%20Order%20of%20Australia.pdf|website=Governor-General of Australia|publisher=Australian Government Gazette|access-date=9 June 2014|date=9 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140630031234/http://www.gg.gov.au/sites/default/files/files/honours/qb/qb2014/Gazette%201%20Order%20of%20Australia.pdf|archive-date=30 June 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In September 2014, her official portrait as governor by [[Archibald Prize]] finalist Mathew Lynn was unveiled at Government House by Premier [[Mike Baird]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Marie Bashir (2014)|url=http://mathewlynn.com.au/2014_Marie_Bashir.html|website=Mathew Lynn|access-date=24 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160227235059/http://mathewlynn.com.au/2014_Marie_Bashir.html|archive-date=27 February 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>