TLC's patron since 2008, the Honourable Margaret Beazley AO QC, Governor of New South Wales

Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AO QC was sworn-in as the 39th Governor of New South Wales on 2 May 2019.

Margaret Beazley attended The University of Sydney’s Law School, graduating with Honours in Law in 1974. Admitted to the New South Wales Bar on 14 March 1975, she has enjoyed a long and distinguished law career spanning 43 years, during which time she served as a role model forwomen in law at both the State and national level.

Appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1989, in 1993 she was made a judge of the Federal Court of Australia, the first woman to sit exclusively in that Court. In 1996, she achieved the distinction of being the first woman appointed to the New South Wales Court of Appeal and, subsequently, the first woman to be appointed as its President in March 2013. Prior to taking up the appointment of Governor of New South Wales, Margaret Beazley served, on a number of occasions, as Administrator of the Government of the State of New South Wales.

She has spoken frequently on legal, academic and social issues, at leadership and mentoring panels and at conferences, both in Australia and internationally. A deep interest in education, youth leadership, human rights and social justice is accompanied by core beliefs in the value of community, education and the rule of law. Throughout her life she has been inspired to become a role model, especially to young women and girls.

Margaret Beazley was born in Sydney, one of five children of Gordon and Lorna Beazley. Growing up in Hurstville, she was taught by the Sisters of St Joseph. She has described her teachers as “inspiring women of immense intellect and extraordinary vision, particularly regarding what women could do and should be doing.” Her Excellency has three children - Erin, Lauren and Anthony Sullivan - and is married to Mr. Dennis Wilson, a barrister, mediator, accredited international arbitrator and Adjunct Professor of Law, at Notre Dame University, Sydney.

She was made an Officer in the Order of Australia in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List on 12 June 2006 for service to the judiciary and the law, particularly through contributions to professional and ethical standards and to the advancement of women in the legal profession and the community.

In May 2008, she was awarded Doctor of Laws honoris causa (Hon LLD) by The University of Sydney and in 2012 was named as one of the inaugural Australian Financial Review/Westpac 100 Women of Influence.