Former Governors of Queensland

On 10 December 1859 Letters Patent issued by Queen Victoria were read to an elated audience, proclaiming Queensland to be a new colony, separate from New South Wales. From that day forward, Queenslanders were in charge of their own affairs.

Queen Victoria assented to the creation of a new and separate colony to be called Queen’s Land on 6 June 1859, a day that continues to be celebrated as Queensland Day.

A history bound by principle

The Governor of Queensland is the symbolic head of Queensland and represents centuries of constitutional tradition. Since 1859, Queensland Governors have upheld a fundamental principle—that all people of all parties and all walks of life belong to the same community, a parliamentary democracy where government is conducted according to law. The highest purpose of Governors is to see to that. 

The 26 former Governors of Queensland and their spouses:

The Honourable Sir George Ferguson Bowen GCMG
10.12.1859 – 04.01.1868
Spouse: Diamantina, Lady Bowen

Colonel the Honourable Samuel Wensley Blackall
14.08.1868 – 02.01.1871

The Most Honourable George Augustus Constantine, Marquess of Normanby GCB GCMG PC
12.08.1871 – 12.11.1874
Spouse: Maria, Marchioness of Normanby

The Honourable William Wellington Cairns KCMG
23.01.1875 – 14.03.1877

The Honourable Sir Arthur Edward Kennedy GCMG CB
20.07.1877 – 02.05.1883

The Honourable Sir Anthony Musgrave GCMG
06.11.1883 – 09.10.1888
Spouse: Jeanne Lucinda, Lady Musgrave

General the Honourable Sir Henry Wylie Norman GCB GCMG CIE
01.05.1889 – 31.12.1895
Spouse: Alice, Lady Norman

The Right Honourable Charles Wallace Alexander Napier Cochrane-Baillie, Baron Lamington GCMG
09.04.1896 – 19.12.1901
Spouse: Mary, Lady Lamington

Major General the Honourable Sir Herbert Charles Chermside GCMG CB
24.03.1902 – 10.10.1904
Spouse: Geraldine, Lady Chermside

The Right Honourable Frederic John Napier Thesiger, Baron Chelmsford
GCMG GCSI GCIE GBE
30.11.1905 – 26.05.1909
Spouse: Frances, Lady Chelmsford

The Honourable Sir William MacGregor GCMG CB
02.12.1909 – 16.07.1914
Spouse: Mary, Lady MacGregor

Major the Honourable Sir Hamilton John Goold-Adams GCMG CB
15.03.1915 – 03.02.1920
Spouse: Elsie, Lady Goold-Adams

The Right Honourable Lieutenant Colonel Sir Matthew Nathan GCMG
03.12.1920 – 17.09.1925

Lieutenant General the Honourable Sir Thomas Herbert John Chapman Goodwin KCB CMG DSO
13.07.1927 – 07.04.1932
Spouse: Lilian, Lady Goodwin

Colonel the Honourable Sir Leslie Orme Wilson GCMG GCSI GCIE DSO
13.06.1932 – 23.04.1946
Spouse: Winifred, Lady Wilson

Lieutenant General the Honourable Sir John Dudley Lavarack KCMG KCVO KBE CB DSO
01.10.1946 – 04.12.1957
Spouse: Sybil, Lady Lavarack

Colonel the Honourable Sir Henry Abel Smith KCMG KCVO DSO
18.03.1958 – 18.03.1966
Spouse: Lady May Abel Smith

The Honourable Sir Alan James Mansfield KCMG KCVO
21.03.1966 – 21.03.1972
Spouse: Beryl, Lady Mansfield

Air Marshal the Honourable Sir Colin Thomas Hannah KCMG KCVO KBE CB
21.03.1972 – 20.03.1977
Spouse: Patricia, Lady Hannah

Commodore the Honourable Sir James Ramsay KCMG KCVO CBE DSC
22.04.1977 – 21.07.1985
Spouse: Janet, Lady Ramsay

The Honourable Sir Walter Benjamin Campbell AC QC
22.07.1985 – 29.07.1992
Spouse: Georgina, Lady Campbell

The Honourable Leneen Forde AC
29.07.1992 – 29.07.1997
Spouse: Mr Angus McDonald

Major General the Honourable Peter Arnison AC CVO
29.07.1997 – 29.07.2003
Spouse: Mrs Barbara Arnison

The Honourable Dame Quentin Bryce AD CVO
29.07.2003 – 29.07.2008
Spouse: Mr Michael Bryce AM AE

The Honourable Penelope Wensley AC
29.07.2008 – 29.07.2014
Spouse: Mr Stuart McCosker

The Honourable Paul de Jersey AC CVO
29.07.2014 – 01.11.2021
Spouse: Mrs Kaye de Jersey