NSW Rugby Union CEO, Andrew Hore, officially announced Former Governor of New South Wales, Professor The Honourable Dame Marie Bashir AD, CVO, as the new patron of NSW Rugby at the 2019 season launch.
Not since 1995 has NSW Rugby Union had a patron of the game, with Professor The Honorary Dame Bashir joining the NSWRU to help promote rugby and it's values, across the State.
A distinguished academic with a long-standing career in the medical profession, Professor Bashir has been an advocate for improved mental health for the young, marginalised and disadvantaged.
Her leadership in tertiary education and her promotion of collaborative health programs has been recognised at the highest levels.
Professor Bashir also enjoys a passion for Rugby.
“Professor Bashir brings with her the values that embodies what a Patron represents,” NSW Rugby CEO Andrew Hore said.
The former University of Sydney Chancellor is NSW Rugby’s first Patron since 1995 when Rear Admiral Peter Sinclair AO, the NSW Governor at the time, held the role.
Hore said the organisation was honoured to welcome Professor Bashir to the role.
“Professor Bashir is a respected figure in Australia and the world for her selfless work in the medical profession,” he said.
“She is also a longstanding member of our community and we look forward to welcoming her to the NSW family.”
ABOUT PROFESSOR, THE HONORARY DAME MARIE BASHIR AD, CVO
Professor Bashir is the former Governor of New South Wales (2001-2014) and former Chancellor of the University of Sydney (2007-2012).
She was NSW’s first female Governor.
Professor Bashir graduated from the University of Sydney in 1956 with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery.
After completion of postgraduate studies in psychiatry, she was made a Member of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists in 1971, becoming a Fellow in 1980.
She has held various medical positions, with a particular emphasis on psychiatry.
In 1993 Professor Bashir was appointed the Clinical Director of Mental Health Services for the Central Sydney Area Health Service, a position she held until appointed Governor on 1 March 2001.
However, over the years since then, she has maintained her participation in international health programs of collaboration in Vietnam with other colleagues from the University of Sydney.
In 2001, Professor Bashir was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia.
In 2006, the Queen appointed her a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO).
In the 2014 Queen's Birthday Honours, Professor Bashir was made a Dame of the Order of Australia
"For extraordinary and pre-eminent achievement and merit in service to the administration, public life, and people of New South Wales, to medicine, particularly as an advocate for improved mental health outcomes for the young, marginalised and disadvantaged, to international relations, through the promotion of collaborative health programs, and as a leader in tertiary education".
