My first meetings with His Excellency go back to the era when he was a judge of the Supreme Court of Tasmania and then his role as the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. I need to clarify perhaps that those meetings were not as an accused person but as a witness of the Crown. There were several of these meetings. The police, as I did, always saw His Excellency in the capacity of a judge as an extremely fair, humane and very professional man. I think it also is probably true to say that those on the other side of the law could only speak highly of Sir Guy - and that is certainly a tribute to the man, in my view. Such is the compassion, skill and character of our Governor.

Lady Green probably is best summed up with my wife's words: 'She is such a lovely person - down to earth and incredibly friendly and pleasant'. As the Governor of this State, both His Excellency and Lady Green have made an enormous contribution and we cannot underestimate that in any way - a contribution, I believe, if equalled can never be surpassed.

Government House has been opened up to many thousands of Tasmanians - and we have also heard comment in relation to visitors to this State. When I was at home the other night some visitors from Victoria, who never ever thought they would have the opportunity to go into Government House, were afforded that opportunity here in Tasmania. They spoke so highly of it and wanted to spend a long period of time in there. They thought it was magnificent that a governor should do that. I do not think that those times will ever be forgotten in this State.

I wish both His Excellency and Lady Green a long and happy retirement and continued good health.