Last week the Walgett Shire was visited by one of the state’s most important figures, as the town buzzed with the NSW Governor’s arrival in town. 

Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC QC arrived in Lightning Ridge last week ahead of the opening of the Opal Festival.

Her arrival was marked in style, flown in by the Rural Flying Doctors Team to Lightning Ridge. 

“As soon as we landed, we were driving through and (my husband) just said ‘I love places like this’, Her Excellency said in her speech to open the festival.  

“I’ve only been to Lightning Ridge once before, and I had that feeling of old, old ancient land,” Her Excellency continued. 

Walgett Shire Council Mayor Jane Keir said the visit from the Queen’s representative was ‘a breath of fresh air’ for the town. 

“She opened the Opal Festival last Thursday and went to the Opal Ball before having morning tea with the counsellors on Friday,” Cr Keir said. 



An apolitical figure, the Governor got to know Walgett without any talk of policy. 

“She’s very up with current affairs and certainly asked the relevant questions…what were our worries and problems?” Cr Keir said. 

While in the area, the Governor and her husband Mr Wilson were welcomed by the students and staff of local schools, as well as young people at the new PCYC. 

Visits with the Walgett Local Aboriginal Land Council and staff of Walgett Aboriginal Medical Centre were also on the agenda for the trip.

“She’s certainly very sympathetic to issues with the Indigenous population, particularly to women and children, and very much about the education of our children,” Cr Keir said. 

The Lightning Ridge Opal Festival ran from the July 27 to 30th.