Former Prime Ministers and Premiers Farewell Dame Marie Bashir at State Funeral
NSW's first female governor remembered as a trailblazer in public service and mental health advocacy
The service drew former prime ministers John Howard and Scott Morrison, ex-NSW premiers including Gladys Berejiklian and Mike Baird, current Premier Chris Minns, Governor-General Sam Mostyn, and Chief Justice Andrew Bell.
Dame Marie''s daughter, Alexandra Shehadie, said her mother was "immensely proud to be a country girl," referencing her upbringing in Narrandera. The family shared lighter memories too — her love of Bach and Led Zeppelin, a life-size Penrith Panthers sculpture in the family home, and an outing to see Kubrick''s 2001: A Space Odyssey.
Former premier Bob Carr, who recommended her appointment in 2001, told mourners she "broke through more than one glass ceiling," noting "there was this sense that she didn''t have to prove anything as the first female governor."
Born in 1930, Dame Marie built a distinguished career in psychiatry at St Vincent''s Hospital before dedicating decades to juvenile mental health and Indigenous health in remote communities across Central Australia, the Kimberley, and Arnhem Land. She garnered more than 70 awards, including being named Dame of the Order of Australia in 2014.
A 737 NSW Rural Fire Service Air Tanker named after Dame Marie performed a flyover as the hearse departed the church. She is survived by her three children.
Analysis
Why This Matters
Dame Marie Bashir''s career spanned decades of advocacy for mental health and Indigenous communities at a time when both received far less attention. Her role as NSW''s longest-serving governor (2001-2014) and her barrier-breaking appointment remain significant milestones in Australian public life.
Background
The position of NSW Governor is largely ceremonial but carries considerable symbolic weight. Dame Marie''s appointment by Bob Carr in 2001 was notable for breaking gender and cultural barriers simultaneously. Her background in psychiatry — particularly juvenile mental health — brought a unique perspective to the role.
Key Perspectives
Her family remembered her as deeply connected to rural Australia and possessed of eclectic tastes. Political figures from across the spectrum attended, reflecting the bipartisan respect she commanded throughout her career.
What to Watch
Dame Marie''s legacy in mental health advocacy continues to inform policy discussions in NSW, particularly around Indigenous health services and juvenile mental health programs.