Monarch Queen Elizabeth II Profession Law, Government Education University of Tasmania Preceded by Sir Phillip Bennett Name Guy Green Residence Launceston, Australia | Nationality Australian Role Justice Succeeded by Richard Butler Spouse Rosslyn Green | |
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Born 26 July 1937 (age 86)
Launceston, Tasmania, Australia ( 1937-07-26 ) Occupation Lawyer, Judge, Governor | ||
Alma mater University of Tasmania | ||
Sir Guy Stephen Montague Green, AC, KBE, CVO (born 26 July 1937) was the Governor of Tasmania from 1995 to 2003. He was the first Tasmanian-born governor of the state, although not the first Australian-born.
Guy Green was born in Launceston, and attended the Launceston Church Grammar School. He studied law at the University of Tasmania's Hobart Campus, graduating with honours in 1960. He was Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Tasmania from 1973 until 1995, the culmination of a distinguished career in law in Tasmania, which saw him serve as a magistrate from 1971 to 1973.
He was also heavily involved in the University of Tasmania, serving as chancellor before his appointment as governor. He was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws by the university in 1996. Sir Guy was also chancellor of the Australian Priory of the Order of St John of Jerusalem before assuming Vice-Regal office.
On 11 May 2003, the Governor-General Peter Hollingworth stood aside following a controversy about his past handling of child abuse allegations. Green, the longest-serving state governor, was appointed Administrator of the Commonwealth, or in effect acting governor-general. Hollingworth later announced that he would not be returning to the position. Green served as Administrator until Michael Jeffery took office in August 2003. He retired afterwards and was replaced as Tasmanian governor by Richard Butler.
He was knighted as a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1982, appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) in 1994 and appointed a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order during Queen Elizabeth II's visit to Tasmania in 2000. He was awarded the Centenary Medal in 2001.
On retiring from the governorship, Sir Guy continued to contribute to Tasmania, as chairman of trustees of the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, and chairman of the board of the 10 Days on the Island festival.