VALE Professor The Honourable Dame Marie Bashir, AD CVO,
former Governor of New South Wales and Honorary Member FFFAIF
Her Excellency Professor The Honourable Dame Marie Bashir, Dame of the Order of Australia, Commander of the Royal Victorian Order, Governor of the State of New South Wales in the Commonwealth of Australia (1 December 1930 – 20 January 2026)
Follow this link for Details of State Funeral for Professor the Honourable Dame Marie Bashir AD CVO | NSW Government
To watch the Funeral
A live stream of the State Funeral will be available from 10:00am on Wednesday, 4 February 2026 on this link with the Service beginning at 10:30am..
State Funeral for Professor the Honourable Dame Marie Bashir AD CVO | NSW Government
Professor The Honourable Dame Marie Bashir indicated that as Commemorations were not academic in nature, she was comfortable to be addressed as “Dame Marie”, so that is how she is referred to in this tribute.
[Most of the images in this Tribute can be expanded by clicking on the image.
A PDF copy of this Tribute to Dame Marie Bashir can be downloaded from this link.]
Dame Marie Bashir
The presence of Professor The Honourable Dame Marie Bashir AD CVO has enhanced many commemorations for more than a decade – Boer War, Anzac Day, Fromelles Day, Battles of Third Ypres, Battle for Australia, Korean War, Remembrance Day.
Dame Marie officiated with the Premier at the Anzac Memorial reopening in 2009, and attended the opening of the Anzac Memorial Extensions in 2018.
Dame Marie agreed in 2018 to accept FFFAIF’s invitation to be an Honorary Member in recognition of her extraordinary service to Digger Heritage as demonstrated by her commitment to and attendance at services of commemoration, particularly during her term as Governor of NSW from 2001 to 2014 and in the subsequent period until the pandemic in 2020, including participation in Anzac Day parades, the Fromelles Day Procession and numerous Commemorations.
In response to the invitation, Dame Marie said she was “so happy she could cry”.
Special memories of Dame Marie
On several occasions, Dame Marie shared that her participation in the Fromelles Day Commemorative Procession evoked memories of watching the ANZAC Day marches in Narrandera as a young girl with her mother. She reflected that when watching the returned soldiers of the Great War “marching”, some with a limp, or some other signs of wounds, her mother would be in tears. Initially, perplexed as to why a parade with a band and flags would make her mother cry, her mother explained how these “old men” had once been handsome young men who had gone as soldiers to a war, but had come back very changed, and were now trying to make a good life for their families, but on ANZAC Day they were proudly marching for their mates, some of whom did not come back. This made such an impression on her, that whenever the opportunity arose to honour those soldiers, she would try to do so. As she was being farewelled following one of the Fromelles Services, when she was thanked for her support, she said “My parents would turn in their graves if I did not attend this”.
Families and Friends of the First AIF (FFFAIF) celebrates the extraordinarily life of Dame Marie Bashir and honours her contribution to Keeping the Memory Alive.
Jim Munro, President, for and on behalf of Families and Friends of the First AIF
75th Anniversary ANZAC War Memorial at Hyde Park reopening 24 Nov 2009
ANZAC Memorial Sydney | (fffaif.org.au)
75 years to the day after its official dedication by the Duke of Gloucester on 24 November 1934, the ANZAC Memorial in Hyde Park, Sydney was re-opened after an 18 month restoration and refurbishment program.
The Premier of NSW, the Honourable Nathan Rees, MP and the Governor of NSW, Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO spoke of the importance of the Memorial.
[ Left click on the images to expand and see more detail.]
The Catafalque Party was mounted by the Federation Guard
The NSW President of the RSL, Mr Don Rowe OAM and President of the TB Sailors, Soldiers and Airmen’s Association of NSW, Stan Poulson placed a wreath at one end of the Pool of Reflection, which was floated across the Pool to be received and laid by 2 of the Premier’s ANZAC Memorial Scholars for 2009 in the company of the Premier and Her Excellency the Governor.
The Spirit of Anzac exhibition
Guests were then invited to view the 75th anniversary exhibition Spirit of ANZAC.
Dame Marie Bashir with NSW Premier Nathan Rees opening The Spirit of Anzac exhibition
| Governor of NSW, Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir views a collections of Australian service medals inside the Spirit of Anzac exhibition during the ANZAC Memorial 75th Anniversary Ceremony on November 24, 2009 in Sydney, Australia. The newly refurbished Memorial, located in Hyde Park South was built in 1934 to commemorate the sacrifices of those who fought in World War I. In 1984 it was re-dedicated to honour the men and women of NSW who served in all wars. (Photo by Sergio Dionisio/Getty Images) |
Fromelles Day 19 July 2013 Sydney
The Governor of NSW, Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir delivering the Commemorative Address
In appreciation, FFFAIF presented her with a Rembrella poppy umbrella for commemorative occasions.
ANZAC Day, 25 April 2014
The Governor of NSW, Marie Bashir at the Cenotaph during the ANZAC Day parade on April 25, 2014 in Sydney, on the 99th anniversary of ANZAC Day landings in 1915, sheltering under her Rembrella poppy umbrella.
(Photo credits: The Australian and Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)
Fromelles Day 19 July 2015 Sydney
Fromelles Day Sydney Last Post sounded by Fire and Rescue Bugler Terry McLeary with Group Capt. Andrew Doyle (RAAF), Capt. Nick Bramwell (RAN), COL Andrew Lowe (Army) with Dame Marie Bashir, Commander Rebecca Jeffcoat and Pastor Bob Durbin. FFFAIF President Russell Curley delivering the Epilogue.
Dame Marie Bashir attended in her private capacity and placed a wreath on behalf of Sir Nicholas and herself.
Fromelles Day 19 July 2016 Sydney
Commemorations of the Battle of Fromelles 19-20 July 1916 | Families and Friends of the First AIF
Government Architect Peter Poulet (left) explaining the historical significance of the Archibald Fountain commemorating the bond between France and Australia in The Great War to Ms Jill Hayes (FFFAIF), Dame Marie Bashir, FFFAIF President Jim Munro, Minister for Veteran Affairs, David Elliott, Acting President NSW RSL John Haines.
Professor The Hon Dame Marie Bashir AD, CVO leading the Commemorative Procession and laying a wreath watched by Mr Jean-Louis Worobec, President of the French Veterans’ Association.
Fromelles Day Centenary Commemoration, 19 July 2016, ANZAC Memorial, Hyde Park Sydney (left to right)
State President War Widows Guild Mrs Rhondda Vanzella OAM, Leader of the Opposition The Hon Luke Foley MP, Acting President, NSW RSL Mr. John Haines AM, FFFAIF President Jim Munro, Premier of NSW, the Hon Mike Baird, Ms Jill Hayes (FFFAIF), Major-General Gus Gilmore, AO, DSC, Professor the Hon. Dame Marie Bashir AD CVO, Minister for Veteran’s Affairs, The Hon David Elliott MP, and the Consul-General for the Republic of France, M. Nicolas Croizer, Pastor Bob Durbin and Mrs Margaret Snodgrass OAM (FFFAIF).
Fromelles Day 19 July 2017 Sydney
Fromelles Day 2017 Sydney – Solemn Vespers and Procession from the Archibald Fountain to the Anzac Memorial Commemorative Service | Families and Friends of the First AIF
Commemorative Procession to ANZAC Memorial led by Dame Marie Bashir & Jim Munro FFFAIF President
Mr Michael Ward, British Consul General, on behalf of citizens of the United Kingdom
Mr Olivier Le Van Xieu, Deputy Consul General of the Republic of France, on behalf of the citizens of France
The Hon David Elliott, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, representing the Premier of New South Wales on behalf of the citizens of NSW
Dame Marie Bashir with Jim Munro FFFAIF President and LTGEN Ken Gillespie.
Commemoration of the Battles of Third Ypres 26 September 2017
Commemoration of the Centenary of the Battles of Third Ypres Anzac Memorial, Hyde Park Sydney, Tuesday 26 September 2017 | Families and Friends of the First AIF
Dame Marie Bashir with FFFAIF Committee Member Jill Hayes and President Jim Munro, and with FFFAIF Committee Member Margaret Snodgrass in the shade of her Rembrella poppy umbrella.
Russell Curley, Immediate Past President FFFAIF, Jim Munro, President with Craig Laffin, Inaugural President FFFAIF and Dame Marie Bashir with Diane Vogt, War Widows Guild of Australia.
Fromelles Day 19 July 2019 Sydney
Fromelles Day Sydney 2019: Commemorative Procession and Commemoration | Families and Friends of the First AIF
2019 Commemorative Procession to the ANZAC Memorial led by Dame Marie Bashir with FFFAIF Past President Russell Curley (left), President Jim Munro and Committee Member Jill Hayes.
Dame Marie laying a wreath “for the Fallen of Fromelles” and reciting The Ode
Fromelles Day in Sydney during the pandemic and later
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, we missed the company of many regular Fromelles Day Commemoration participants including FFFAIF Honorary Member Dame Marie Bashir, who had participated each year since 2010 (except in 2014 when she was overseas). A small “closed event” Commemoration was held with attendance capped at the capacity limit for the Anzac Memorial Auditorium complying with the NSW Government COVID19 Safety Plan Guidelines. Face masks and social distancing were required for the 35 attendees.
In this context, Dame Marie took the decision to step back from public duties and enjoy a quieter life with her family.
Families and Friends of the First AIF has kept in touch with Dame Marie and expressed its appreciation for her enormous contribution to so many aspects of our lives in NSW, including her participation in Commemorative activities and support for the Anzac Memorial. She has made a significant contribution to Keeping the Memory Alive.
In appreciation,
Families and Friends of the First AIF.
[Most of the images in this Tribute can be expanded by clicking on the image.
A PDF copy of this Tribute to Dame Marie Bashir can be downloaded from this link.]