The recent death of distinguished NSW long-time governor, Dame Marie Bashir, has deeply saddened many as Dame Marie had travelled extensively in her time as governor, including to the Snowy Monaro region.

At the Bombala Australia Day celebrations held on 24 January, the 2026 Australia Day Ambassador, Dr Ben Veness, in his address paid tribute to the past governor, a person he admired and greatly respected.

Like Dr Veness, Dame Marie was a psychiatrist and a long-standing advocate for mental health, education and social inclusion.

Dame Marie Bashir served NSW with distinction as the 37th Governor from March 2001 to October 2014 and was the first woman to be appointed to the role, one she carried out with immense dignity and compassion.

Snowy Monaro Regional Council councillor, Bob Stewart, informed Dr Veness that Dame Marie had indeed performed duties in the Bombala area and through that visit in 2006 Cr Stewart also remembered her fondly.

Dr Veness began his career in banking in the corporate strategy sector, but he made a major switch to medicine as he wanted to “give back more” to the community.

This led to a career in mental health a field where he could make a unique contribution, in particular the mental health of children, young people and families.

Dr Veness said one of the reasons he felt so honoured in being an Australia Day ambassador, is because “it’s probably the closest thing I get to emulating the wonderful work of someone I was very grateful to know who passed this week, Professor Dame Marie Bashir”.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if Marie hadn’t come to Bombala during her term as governor. I thought today was an opportunity also to recognise the amazing contribution she made. Like me, she was a child and adolescent psychiatrist who demonstrated amazing kindness to everybody she met.”

Cr Stewart responded, stating she did visit the Bombala shire during her term as governor to perform a special border decree.

The official proclamation of the 180-kilometre straight-line segment of the boundary between NSW and Victoria, known as the Black-Allan Line, was formally recognised on 16 February 2006, more than 130 years after it was originally surveyed.

The Black-Allan Line runs from Cape Howe on the coast to the nearest source of the Murray River (Indi Springs).

History shows there were some draft documents that were prepared, but they were never finally executed.

A formal ceremony was held in the border village of Delegate River on 16 February, 2006, where Professor Marie Bashir and Victorian Governor, John Landy, signed the overdue documentation.

“That was a very pleasurable day,” Cr Stewart recalled. He was the mayor of Bombala Shire Council at the time.

The governors unveiled a plaque beside the Delegate River, correcting an historical oversight, to pay tribute to Alexander Black (NSW) and Alexander Allan (Victoria), who in 1870-71 were first to survey this line.

An excerpt from the “Bega District News” stated: “A crowd of over 300 people gathered at a site known as Allan’s Peg on the Bonang Highway for the occasion, with the Governor of Victoria, Mr John Landy, and Governor of NSW, Professor Marie Bashir officiating”.

The article went on to say following the formal proceedings on site, the gathering then moved “onto the Delegate Country Club to enjoy a civic reception.

“Bombala Council mayor, Bob Stewart welcomed the 100 or so guests who attended the reception, with East Gippsland Shire mayor, Jane Rowe, joining him to present the visiting Governors with Claire Schofield’s local history, ‘Bombala - Hub of the Southern Monaro’.

“The mayors themselves were also given a special presentation, with the Surveyor Generals passing on satellite photographs of the border area for both Councils to keep.

“Although Professor Bashir then went on to visit the Delegate Public School, the earlier ceremony and Civic Reception could be said to have brought this wonderful surveying chapter of Black and Allan to a close, with all who attended agreeing that the occasion was given appropriate honour and reflection...”.

A state funeral for Dame Marie Bashir will take place on, Wednesday, 4 February, at St James’ Church, Sydney.

She died in Sydney on 20 January, aged 95.