In the morning, Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, Governor of New South Wales, as Patron of the Remembrance Driveway Council, accompanied by Mr Dennis Wilson, planted a tree to replace the London Plane Tree originally planted in 1954 by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at Macquarie Place, Sydney. The tree stood as the inaugural point of the Remembrance Driveway, a living memorial linking Sydney to Canberra in honour of Australian Defence Force personnel who have served in war and peacekeeping operations since the Second World War. For further information, visit: remembrancedriveway.org.au

Afterwards, the Governor received The Right Honourable the Lord Hintze of Dunster AM, formerly the Chairman of The Prince’s Foundation for Building Community, at Government House. 

In the afternoon, Her Excellency, as Patron of the Australia Day Council of NSW, accompanied by Mr Wilson, hosted an Afternoon Tea for the 2026 NSW Australian of the Year Award Nominees, at Government House. For further information, visit: australiaday.com.au

Subsequently, the Governor, as Visitor, received Professor Eric Knight, Chair of the Trustees, and Mr PG Barr, Acting Headmaster, Sydney Grammar School, at Government House.

In the evening, Her Excellency, as Patron of the Australia Day Council of NSW, accompanied by Mr Wilson, presented the NSW Local Hero Award at the 2026 NSW Australian of the Year Awards Ceremony and Reception, at The Calyx, Royal Botanic Gardens. For further information, visit: australiaday.com.au