The day Dame Marie Bashir came to Gloucester: A visit remembered

THERE was widespread sadness surrounding the recent death of the much-loved former NSW Governor, Dame Marie Bashir, and a number of Gloucester locals were prompted by her passing to fondly remember the day in October 2003 she spent in and around the town.

Dame Marie was born in Narrandera on 1 December 1930 and died on 20 January this year.

At her state funeral on 4 February, her daughter Alex Shehadie said that her mother was “immensely proud to be a country girl”.

Dame Marie graduated in medicine from Sydney University in 1956 and was the first woman to be appointed Governor of New South Wales, taking office on 1 March 2001 and retiring in 2014.

“At the time of her appointment as Governor of New South Wales, she (Dame Marie) was Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Sydney; Area Director of Mental Health Services Central Sydney; and Senior Consultant to the Aboriginal Medical Service, Redfern and to the Aboriginal Medical Service, Kempsey,” explains a NSW Government website.

In 2003 Gloucester marked a significant milestone, celebrating 100 years since its formal recognition as a township in 1903, and Dame Marie was invited to join the celebrations.

One of the important functions performed by Dame Marie when in Gloucester was the opening of Minimbah Aboriginal Garden in Gloucester District Park.

Reconciliation Australia states that Dame Marie was a lifelong supporter of First Nations rights and reconciliation and used her position, both in her psychiatric career, and as Governor, to advocate for Aboriginal aspirations.

It should therefore come as no surprise that Dame Marie agreed to open Minimbah.

A welcome sign at the entrance to Minimbah says as follows:

“Minimbah-Place of learning.

“This special place is a symbol of respect to the Aboriginal People of this land-past, present and future.

“The connection between Aboriginal culture and nature provides lessons about the importance of respecting each other and the diverse environment that sustains us and our future generations.”

Gomeroi woman Julie Hardy, whose mum and dad were, together with others, behind the idea of the establishment of Minimbah, remembers attending the opening.

“I was there when Marie Bashir opened Minimbah, and I did an artwork which I presented to her as a thank you for coming,” said Julie.

“She was a lovely person.”

Long time Gloucester local Patsy Murrell has fond memories of Dame Marie’s visit to Gloucester, and was present when she spoke at Minimbah.

“She was so friendly and wonderful and natural,” said Patsy

“I remember her saying that she had come to Gloucester wearing clothes that were too warm for the weather, and that she had gone to McRae’s and bought a cooler cotton frock, which she was then wearing.”

A metal plaque within MInimbah commemorates the occasion of the opening.

By John WATTS