Barbara Baker
AC | |
---|---|
29th Governor of Tasmania | |
Assumed office 16 June 2021 | |
Monarchs | Elizabeth II Charles III |
Premier | Peter Gutwein Jeremy Rockliff |
Preceded by | Kate Warner |
Judge of the Federal Circuit Court | |
In office 27 October 2008 – 31 January 2021[1] | |
Personal details | |
Born | 31 March 1958 |
Spouse | Don Chalmers |
Parents |
|
Alma mater | University of Tasmania |
Profession | Lawyer Judge |
Barbara Avalon Baker
Early life
Baker was born on 31 March 1958 in Hobart, Tasmania,[2] and raised in Sandy Bay. Her parents were Alison Burton, a tennis player, and Bob Baker, a lawyer who became a Liberal member of the Tasmanian Parliament.[3] Baker studied arts and law at the University of Tasmania, graduating in 1980 (BA, LLB).[2] She represented Tasmania in tennis and field hockey at under-18 level.[4]
Career
Baker was admitted to the legal profession in 1983. She joined Simmons Wolfhagen as a solicitor and later worked for the Office of the Solicitor-General. In 1993 she became the first female partner at Murdoch Clarke.[4] As a lawyer Baker "specialised in family law and relationship matters".[5] She served on the executive of the Law Society of Tasmania (1995–1996) and as president of the Family Law Practitioners' Association (2002).[4]
In 2008, Baker was appointed to the
Governor of Tasmania
In May 2021, Premier Peter Gutwein announced that Baker would succeed Kate Warner as governor of Tasmania with effect from 16 June.[6] She stated that she would "focus on gender equality and family violence issues in the community", as well as encouraging participation in sport and acting as a role model for young lawyers.[5] She also said that her personal views on the monarchy or republicanism were not relevant to the position.[6]
In the 2021 Queen's Birthday Honours she was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia.[7]
Personal life
Baker is married to Don Chalmers
Baker captained Tasmania in indoor hockey and is a former national singles and doubles champion in real tennis.[4]
References
- ^ Bird, Isabel (20 May 2021). "Governor Barbara Baker is a former Tasmanian lawyer and Federal Circuit Court of Australia judge". Launceston Examiner. Australian Community Media. Retrieved 13 June 2021.
- ^ Who's Who 2023. Oxford University Press. 1 December 2022. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
- ^ Smith, Linda (16 June 2021). "Tasmania's 29th Governor Barbara Baker has been sworn in at a brief ceremony". The Mercury. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f "Tasmania's 29th Governor". Tasmanian Government. 20 May 2021. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
- ^ a b Bird, Isabel (20 May 2021). "Governor Designate Barbara Baker is a former Tasmanian lawyer and Federal Circuit Court of Australia judge". The Advocate. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
- ^ a b Denholm, Matthew (20 May 2021). "Barbara Baker: Governor targets family violence but silent on republic". The Australian. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
- ^ "Ms Barbara Avalon Baker". It's An Honour. Archived from the original on 13 June 2021. Retrieved 13 June 2021.