Linda Dessau
Lieutenant | Marilyn Warren (2015–2017) Ken Lay (2017–2021) James Angus (2021–2023) | |
---|---|---|
Preceded by | Alex Chernov | |
Succeeded by | Margaret Gardner | |
Personal details | ||
Born | Linda Marion Dessau 8 May 1953 Victoria, Australia | |
Spouse |
Tony Howard (m. 1982) | |
Children | 2 sons | |
Education | St Catherine’s School University of Melbourne | |
Profession | Jurist, barrister | |
Linda Marion Dessau
Early life
Dessau was born in Melbourne, Victoria, on 8 May 1953, the youngest of four children. Her father, John Dessau, arrived in Melbourne from Poland in 1929. At first he took on factory work, but later he became a businessman. He married Sybil, who was born in Melbourne.[4]
Dessau spent time in Israel as a young woman, including several months as a kibbutznik at Sdot Yam.[5]
Dessau was educated at St Catherine's School, Toorak, matriculating at the age of sixteen. She graduated with a Bachelor of Laws with Honours from the University of Melbourne in 1973 as its youngest law graduate.[citation needed]
Legal career
Dessau was admitted to practise as a solicitor and barrister in 1975. She worked as associate partner with Melbourne-based family law firm Wisewoulds, later practising as a barrister in family law matters for four years. In 1982 she moved to
Community service
Dessau was appointed to the
Awarding Dessau an honorary doctorate in 2022, Melbourne's La Trobe University described her as "an inspiring pioneer and role model for women in leadership through her judicial appointments and in her numerous community roles in service of others."[13]
Governor
With an eight-year term, Dessau is the longest-serving governor of Victoria since 1974, when Major General Sir Rohan Delacombe, KCMG KCVO KBE CB DSO concluded an eleven year term.[14] Announcing a three-year extension to her five year term in 2019, the Premier of Victoria, Daniel Andrews, said of Dessau and her husband, “Through their tireless work they have wonderfully represented and celebrated our diverse community and its achievements at home and internationally, while making Government House a more open, accessible and inclusive place.”[15]
On 1 November 2021, Dessau succeeded Queensland governor
La Trobe University's 2022 honorary doctorate citation said, "As Governor, she has carried out her constitutional responsibilities and ceremonial duties with distinction and worked tirelessly in the community and international engagement activities."[18]
Dessau is one of five Jews to have served in a viceregal capacity in Australia, after governors-general Sir Isaac Isaacs and Sir Zelman Cowen, and governors Sir Matthew Nathan (Queensland) and Gordon Samuels (New South Wales).[19]
In August 2016, Dessau was embroiled in an expenses scandal, which saw her personally repay the expenses of lunches at a Gordon Ramsay restaurant (Pétrus) and Harrods, which had originally been paid by the Victorian taxpayer.[20] In 2016, the level of expenses for capital works and ongoing maintenance requested by Dessau were alleged to be excessive, and a former Government House employee told the Herald Sun that the working environment there was "toxic".[21]
On the expiration of her term on 30 June 2023, she was succeeded by Margaret Gardner, the then-vice chancellor of Monash University.[22] At the same time as announcing Professor Gardner as the 30th Governor of Victoria, the Premier thanked Dessau "for her outstanding leadership and compassion during some of our state’s most challenging times. The Governor and her husband Anthony Howard AM KC have supported, represented and championed our diverse community with grace and dedication.”[23]
Personal life
Dessau is married to Anthony Howard,
Honours
Viceregal styles of Linda Dessau (2015–2023) | ||
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Reference style | Her Excellency the Honourable | |
Spoken style | Your Excellency |
- Orders
- Member of the Order of Australia (AM) "For service to the judiciary, particularly through contributions in the area of family law policy and practice, and to the community."[26]
- Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) "For eminent service to the people of Victoria through leadership roles in the judiciary, to the advancement of economic ties and business relationships, and as a supporter of charitable, sporting and arts organisations."[27]
- 11 February 2016: Dame of the Order of St John.[28]
- 1 January 2023: Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO)[29]
- Organisations
- Churchill Fellowship. She travelled to the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom to study strategies employed to reduce delay within the court system.
- 2018: Victorian Honour Roll of Women by the Victorian State government.[30]
- Appointments
- 2015–2023: Colonel of the Royal Victoria Regiment.
- 2015–2023: Deputy Prior of the Order of St John.[31]
- Awards
- 2022: Doctor of Laws (honoris causa), La Trobe University[32]
References
- ^ "Welcomes" (PDF). Victorian Bar News. Spring 1995. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 March 2015. Retrieved 12 February 2015.
- ^ White, Alex (1 July 2015). "Victoria's first female Governor Linda Dessau sworn in". Herald Sun. Retrieved 1 July 2015.
- ^ Justice Linda Dessau retires from the Family Court of Australia, Family Court of Australia, 21 June 2013.
- ^ Green, Shane (1 July 2015). "New Governor of Victoria Linda Dessau a first in more ways than one". The Age. Retrieved 21 March 2016.
- ^ "Grapevine: Governor reveals bilateral romance". The Jerusalem Post. 4 October 2018. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
- ^ "A new judge in court". The Australian Jewish News. 7 July 1995. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
- ^ "Linda Dessau now Family Court judge". The Australian Jewish News. 23 June 1995. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
- ^ Barrett, Damian (21 November 2007). "League not fussed at Pratt's cartel connection". Herald Sun. Retrieved 12 February 2015.
- ^ Wilson, Caroline (13 February 2015). "First woman Governor could have been first woman AFL chairman". The Age. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
- ^ Wilson, Caroline (20 October 2012). "Meet the AFL commissioners". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 12 February 2015.
- ^ "Linda Dessau named president of Melbourne Festival". The Sydney Morning Herald. 26 March 2014. Retrieved 12 February 2015.
- ^ "NGV Annual Report 2014/15" (PDF). National Gallery of Victoria.
- ^ "Governor of Victoria receives Honorary Doctorate". La Trobe University. 15 December 2022.
- ^ "Governors of Victoria". Governor of Victoria website. 6 June 2023.
- ^ "Governor Of Victoria's Term Extended". Premier of Victoria. 5 June 2023.
- ^ "COMMISSION TO ADMINISTER THE GOVERNMENT OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA". Australian Government Federal Register of Legislation. 19 December 2016.
- ^ "Administrator of the Commonwealth". Governor of Victoria.
- ^ "Governor of Victoria receives Honorary Doctorate".
- ^ Victoria's first Jewish governor, The Australian Jewish News, 23 February 2015.
- ^ Anderson, Stephanie (18 August 2016). "Victorian Governor Linda Dessau repays cost of expensive meals in London restaurants". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 27 September 2017.
- ^ Coster, Alice; Hudson, Fiona (16 August 2016). "Claims of cost blowouts, toxic workplace at Victoria's Government House". Herald Sun. Retrieved 27 September 2017.
- ^ "Premier Announces 30th Governor of Victoria". Premier of Victoria. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
- ^ "Premier Announces 30th Governor Of Victoria". Premier of Victoria. 5 June 2023. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
- ^ "About the Governor". Governor of Victoria. Retrieved 5 January 2020.
- ^ Brook, Stephen; Hutchinson, Samantha (30 April 2021). "Prominent families to unite as Dessau's son engaged to a Gandel". The Age. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
- ^ It's an Honour: Companion of the Order of Australia, AustralianGovernment, retrieved 6 August 2018
- ^ It's an Honour: Companion of the Order of Australia, AustralianGovernment, retrieved 6 August 2018
- ^ Joining HE Governor-General, Lady Cosgrove & the @stjohnaustralia leaders as a Dame of Grace in the Order of St John, Governor of Victoria, retrieved 4 May 2019
- ^ "Crown Office". www.thegazette.co.uk.
- ^ "Victorian Honour Roll of Women". Women Victoria – vic.gov.au. Archived from the original on 10 March 2018. Retrieved 10 March 2018.
- ^ "Understanding the Most Venerable Order of St John" (PDF). Governor of New South Wales. 12 December 2014. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
- ^ "Governor of Victoria receives Honorary Doctorate". La Trobe University. 15 December 2022.