The Board of the Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway would like to pay tribute to Dame Marie Bashir AD CVO, a remarkable and inspirational Australian, who devoted so much of her life to the welfare of veterans and young people.

As the 37th Governor of NSW between 2001 and 2014 (and the first female Governor of NSW), Dame Marie attended numerous commemorative services at the Memorial Walkway, always delivering speeches which were forthright and memorable. She gave freely of her time, always willing to listen to veterans and to converse with schoolchildren. Her caring nature and respect for the veteran community was reflected in her continuing attendance at Walkway events even after she stepped down from her Vice-Regal duties.

The Board offers its sincere condolences to Dame Marie’s family. New South Wales and the wider Australian community are poorer for Marie Bashir’s passing, but so much richer for the life of public service which she gave us.

Attached are photos of Dame Marie at our VP Day service in 2001 with the late Rusty Priest, Dame Marie surrounded by children after the VP Day service in 2012, and her attendance at the 75th anniversary of Kokoda Day in 2017.