Role of Governor

In contemplating the role of Governor of NSW, it has been appropriate and yet awesome to reflect upon the lives and contributions of my predecessors. I am filled with admiration at the lives of many of the early Governors of NSW, whose role was, of course, much different from now. The wisdom, integrity and strength of character of governors such as Arthur Phillip and Lachlan Macquarie, made enormous and lasting contributions to our very understanding of what it is to live in NSW and indeed, to be Australians. Theirs examples of decency, fairness and ethical conduct, especially amidst hardship and relentless challenges, still resound.

Influenced by the philosophy of the Enlightenment, Governor Arthur Phillip saw beyond the immediate task of establishing a penal colony and described a grand plan for Sydney. He intended that there was to be no slavery in this new free land (Bridges, Peter, Foundations of Identity, Hale and Ironmonger, 1995, page 8. “There can be no slavery in a free land, and consequently so slaves”) and examples of his humanitarian attitude to the indigenous people were apparent from the outset. In an early dispatch to the Colonial Secretary Lord Sydney in the first year of settlement, he reported that “every precaution that was possible has to be taken to prevent their receiving any insults and ….every means shall be used to reconcile them to live among us, ….” (McBryde, Isobel, First Guests of the Governor).

The indebtedness of the State of NSW and its citizens to Governor Lachlan Macquarie is enshrined in the many places and institutions of importance which bear his name. Motivated above all, for the common good, his progressive ideas attracted resistance often amongst the most powerful. His contribution to the planning and early architecture of this city and beyond, established cities in the world. In these interests, and in so many others relating to the educational, rural, cultural and social development of New South Wales, Governor Macquarie was supported by the extraordinary talent, energy, active intervention and compassion of his wife Elizabeth.

In contrast to colonial times, we now live in a country where an expectation of harmony and peace are placed at the highest level by the vast majority of citizens; where inclusiveness, tolerance and the will to learn from one another are enacted in daily transactions between many people; and where the stability of political structures is not dependent upon military interventions, as in so many other countries. However today we also live in a time of market pressures, with unfortunate consequences, in some cases, for our sense of community. For a state and a people to prosper into the longer term, I believe that there needs to be a climate of reciprocity, involving the ordinary citizens as well as the powerful.

Such a society rejects, as its highest aim, materialism, but strives for the participation and contribution of all citizens in our common wealth. All too often it seems, that we only glimpse such a genuine, widespread sense of community at times of bushfires, floods and other disasters, when our people and institutions give so selflessly. We may also see it at times of great national celebration. However, I do know that there is an enormous reservoir of generosity – not only to be found among the caring groups of health and welfare but also in our dynamic artistic and cultural endeavours where many groups within the performing and visual arts are reaching out in an inspired way to people, young and old, on the outskirts of our city and into the rural areas as never before.

I am heartened and encouraged by some signs that the limitations of materialism are better understood, and the more and more people are searching for a fuller and truly richer life that goes beyond acquisitions, and which extends to more intangible ethical and spiritual considerations, such as serving others, especially the more vulnerable.

In this, we can learn from our indigenous brothers and sisters, who for thousands of years lived in real community as well as in harmony with their environment. In turn, as we are beginning to do, we can contribute more to those whose living conditions, health status and level of opportunity are often in need of improvement and the fair treatment that Phillip directed so long ago.