Tasmanian Government House Open Day

Tasmanian Government House Open Day

The Governor (His Excellency The Honourable Peter Underwood) and his wife (Mrs Frances Underwood) graciously allow visitors to their home once a year for Tasmanian Government House Open Day. Following a little prompt from Mrs Anne Parker (Official Secretary, Government House, Tasmania), we wanted to picnic on the lawns.
Our plan was to buy lunch at the Farmers Market in Hobart, spread our blanket and take in the magnificent views. Unfortunately, Hobart weather stood in the way of the outdoor lunch idea. But sometimes you just have to be persistent when you Tasmanian! Government House was worth the effort. There no doubt it is a breathtakingly gorgeous building.
We were a bit surprised to discover we were actually allowed inside. The poor carpet with all those damp shoes tramping through! We were directed into the hallway by some very handsome policemen in full dress uniform, who commandeered all the umbrellas. Then we followed the roped-off path (guided by Government House staffers at every point) admiring the paintings, sculptures, grand pianos antiques.
Tasmanian Government House Open Day: antiques, flowers pianos
The dining room, in regal red tones, was dressed for a formal dinner. Gold cutlery, crystal glasses, candles and flowers set a very festive scene. Bold patterns on the carpet vied for attention with the international arms painted on the ceiling, the chandeliers and the gold-edged wall mirrors.
With 73 rooms in total, Tasmanian Government House is very grand. Some of those rooms, while being lavishly decorated, are less relevant today. The French Room, originally a boudoir for the ladies, is now referred to as a charming curiosity.
With sitting and drawing rooms designated for various constitutional and ceremonial purposes, the Governor residence seems to have all bases covered. We did overhear some children remarking: there a lot of chairs for just two people!! Those same children thought the Underwood family were pretty lucky to have three tennis courts amongst the stables and cottages on the 15 hectare property.
At the end of our tour was the ballroom. Saving the best for last, the massive room has features including a Huon Pine floor, several exquisite chandeliers, a vaulted ceiling and some gigantic mirrors. Amazing to think that the residence has remained primarily as it was since it was first occupied in 1858 by Sir Henry Fox Young. Only the conservatory, which was once the formal balcony entrance to the ballroom, has been rebuilt using the original plans.
Before collecting our umbrella and heading back out into the rain, we inspected the photos and memorabilia on show: Tasmanian Government House highlights and reminders of the duties undertaken by Governor Underwood and his predecessors. Photos of the current Premier, David Bartlett, and his Tasmanian Government ministers were combined with photos of school children, community groups and visiting dignitaries.
And then our brief soiree into the hub of Tasmania constitutional headquarters was over. We made our way down the carriageway, past the flowerbeds and the ponds, and back to the entrance. Directing pedestrians opposite Tasmania Botanical Gardens on the Queens Domain, Hobart was one of the Government House gardeners. As one of five full-time gardeners employed to take care of the grounds, she agreed it was a substantial (but fantastic) job. The 4.5 hectares of established gardens include ornamental ponds and trees planted by royalty and heads of state. And a vegetable patch!
For recreation, Tania loves to read, enjoys music, movies, photography and exploring all that Tasmania has to offer. She strives to keep her family healthy and happy.