Protocol Guidelines

1. Forms of Address

The correct form of address is:

His Excellency the Honourable Chris Dawson AC APM

Governor of Western Australia

On first meeting, the Governor is greeted as ‘Your Excellency,’ and thereafter as ‘Governor’ or ‘Sir’.  The Governor should be formally acknowledged as ‘His Excellency’ at official engagements.

Mrs Darrilyn Dawson, wife of the Governor, should be greeted as ‘Mrs Dawson’ or ‘Ma’am’.

2. Order of Proceedings

For an accepted invitation, to assist in briefing the Governor, details concerning your organisation’s function/event should be supplied to this office at least 2 weeks before the event.

For this purpose an Event Brief Information sheet will be provided to your Event Coordinator.

The information you provide needs to be as detailed as possible.

A copy of the final brief for the Governor will be sent to your Event Coordinator prior to the function.

3. Speeches

Requests for the Governor to make a speech should be indicated when the invitation is issued. Unless it has been agreed at the time of accepting an invitation, the Governor will not speak at a function.

Where a speech has been agreed:

• Comprehensive notes must be provided by the date specified (at least three weeks before the event, and 4 weeks for keynote speeches).
• It is preferable that the Governor speaks first.
• If there are to be other speakers, it is important that Government House is advised of the subject matter in order to avoid replication.

4. Role of the Host

The Host should be the most senior member of the organisation available and should meet the Governor and/or Mrs Dawson upon arrival at the car and accompany them throughout the function to departure.

The Host should introduce guests to the Governor and Mrs Dawson, with a co-host assisting when required.

5. Governor’s Aide in Attendance

The Governor is attended by an Honorary-Aide-de-Camp at all functions and events, unless otherwise indicated.  The Aide acts as an on-the-spot facilitator assisting the Governor and the event organisers, as required.

At functions, host organisations are asked to direct all queries regarding arrangements, media, or photographs, to the Aide, not to the Governor.

6. Anthems and Vice-Regal Salute

It is not always necessary to play an anthem or Vice Regal salute at a function attended by the Governor.  Government House is able to assist with advice as to the appropriate occasions.

7. Seating

At dinners and luncheons it is preferable that the official table not be elevated above other tables.

The Aide must be seated within line of sight of the Governor, at a table immediately adjacent to the main table. In circumstances when seating is in rows, the Aide must be seated in the row behind the Governor, either directly behind or at the end of that row.

The host organisation is asked to supply a floor plan and a seating plan at least five working days prior to the function.

8. Toasts

It is not necessary to offer toasts at functions attended by the Governor. When an organisation chooses to incorporate toasts into the proceedings, the Loyal Toast, “The King”, should be offered first. It is not necessary to toast the Governor. Toasts are normally proposed at the end of formal dinners.

9. Photographs

Photographs may be taken unless the Governor specifically requests otherwise.  It is preferable to advise Government House as to whether official photographs will be taken prior to the event. In the event of a group photo, all who are to be in the photo should be gathered together and placed in their positions, and the photograph set up by the photographer.  The Governor should then be escorted to the group, invited to take a position and the photo taken.

Organisations are encouraged to provide Government House with digital copies of official photographs taken at events which may be considered suitable for display on the Government House website or social media accounts (@GovHouseWA). Refer to the website for more details.

10. Media

If you are expecting media to be present at your function please indicate accordingly in the Event Brief Information sheet.

If you plan to issue a media release or any other external publication referring to the Governor, or Government House, please provide a draft copy in advance to the Communications and Media Officer.

11. Using the Governor’s Name

If using the Governor’s name and title on a plaque, publication, or similar, you are encouraged to have a draft wording checked by Government House prior to production.

12. Contacting Government House

Correspondence should generally be addressed to the Official Secretary in the first instance. Correspondence email address is [email protected]  (preferred method of receipt)

Telephone: (08) 9429 9199

Website: www.govhouse.wa.gov.au