Failed Paparazzi and Governors General

I failed in a bid to join the Paparazzi today when the quarry eluded me.

The Governor General, Quentin Bryce (drawn right), was due to arrive in Mount Gambier today for a taxpayer-funded private visit.

I knew she had an engagement at 4pm and figured wrongly she would fly in about an hour beforehand.

I got to the airport at 3pm and discovered she had already arrived. Her RAAF King Air was sitting empty on the tarmac.

She may have had another engagement I didn’t know about, because details of her visit were scanty, but it’s more likely she retired to a hotel.

I opined in the paper yesterday about the fact Her Excellency should have been more visible on this visit.

It’s the first time a Governor General has visited Mount Gambier, South Australia’s second biggest city, since 2001.

She’s here mainly to address a rural women’s gathering tonight, but was also scheduled to visit a home for disabled people this afternoon.

A real paparazzo would have staked out the airport from early this morning. I just didn’t cut it.

The King Air is an interesting plane. It’s a twin-engine turboprop with two crew and six passenger seats.

The Royal Australian Air Force King Air 350 is a versatile aircraft primarily used for Air Combat Officer and Airborne Electronic Analyst training. It is also used for low-level tactical and maritime operations training, and as a general transport.

Rambling along, I have met a Governor General before. Michael Jeffery visited Kalgoorlie for Australia Day in 2006, arriving just a few days after I did.

The civic reception for His Excellency was the first official function I attended there. It was held in the beautiful Boulder Town Hall.

Quentin Bryce has vice-regal experience as the former Governor of Queensland and carries herself well.

Michael Jeffery (pictured) however, with his military background, was perfect for the role.

Meeting a Governor or Governor General used to be a big deal. The first one I saw was Sir Zelman Cowen in about 1979 when he visited Traralgon.

I remember the school bused us to the Showgrounds, where we sat around waiting for him to arrive and give a speech after we had all stood for the national anthems.

Yes, there were two anthems then. God Save the Queen was played in addition to Advance Australia Fair at any function where the Governor or Governor General was in attendance.

The sad part about Quentin Bryce’s visit to Mount Gambier is that nobody will see her except the select few at the two places she is visiting.