Caroline Wells has been sworn in as Tasmania’s 30th governor and says she is keen to get out among the communities she has spent her career working with.
Wells took the oath at a ceremony at Government House in Hobart on Wednesday, in front of family, friends and invited guests.
She made the affirmation of office before Supreme Court Chief Justice and Lieutenant-Governor Christopher Shanahan.
She pledged allegiance to King Charles III and promised to faithfully serve as the King’s representative before signing and reading a proclamation formally assuming office.
Speaking afterwards, Wells said the day had shifted her early shock into a sense of purpose.
“I’m feeling very honoured, but I’m also feeling very excited because actually this means it’s now getting on with the job,” she said.
She said she and her partner, Rob Walters, had been overwhelmed by the community’s response since her appointment was announced in May.
Wells made a direct pledge to Tasmanians.
“I will do my absolute best for Tasmania and for the Tasmanian people over the next five years,” she said.
She said she wanted to bring her own approach to a role bound by tradition.
“I will want to lead with kindness and with empathy and with purpose,” she said.
She described herself as a pragmatist with a healthy dose of curiosity.
Wells said connecting with communities would be central to her work, particularly recognising Tasmanians whose efforts often go unnoticed.
“There’s so many hardworking people that fly under the radar, just very humble people that do wonderful work,” she said.
She also wants to use the office to champion the state and support tourism, trade and investment.
Wells came to the role after a career in health and community work.
A registered nurse who graduated from the University of Tasmania in 1985, she later led Diabetes Tasmania and chaired the Royal Flying Doctor Service Tasmania.
She said she had given up all her directorships to focus fully on the governorship.
“Those organisations are all in very capable hands,” she said. “This is my entire focus.”
Asked about political instability, Wells said she took her constitutional responsibilities seriously and would deal with issues as they arose.
Wells succeeds Barbara Baker and becomes Tasmania’s third consecutive female governor.
Born in Hobart and educated at The Friends’ School, she will move into Government House in the coming weeks with Walters and the family’s 17-year-old ginger cat, Gus.
