Historical information

Sir Samuel McCaughey was a state officeholder, specifically the Lieutenant‑Governor of Victoria.

The Governor of Victoria is the Queen / King’s representative in the State of Victoria and is a state level constitutional and ceremonial role.

Constitutional duties include giving Royal Assent to Victorian laws, appointing the Premier and Ministers, opening and dissolving Parliament, acting on the advice of the Victorian Government, and ensuring stable, lawful government in the state.

Ceremonial duties include attending civic events, visiting suburbs, towns, schools, and community organisations, opening public buildings and infrastructure, presenting awards and honours, supporting charities and volunteer groups.

These photographs taken by The Advocate in 1990, when Governor McCaughey and his wife made an official visit to Sunshine. They were welcomed to Sunshine by the Mayor Cr. Don McKay and mayoress Mrs. Isobel McKay. Also at the reception was scouts and guides from Sunshine and Deer Park. The Sunshine North Secondary College Band played in the foyer to welcome the Governor and his wife.

After the reception, the party was then taken to The Hunt Club, where the Governor laid the foundation brick for new pottery kiln. They then moved to the Albion Explosive Factory where the new project plans were explained to them. They then moved to Cranwell Park to lay a memorial plaque before travelling to Marie Mill Community Hall and the Living Museum of the West.

Significance

Governor and Lieutenant‑Governor visits to suburbs like Albion, Braybrook, Maribyrnong, St. Albans and Sunshine were important civic events because they connected local communities to the highest levels of Victoria’s constitutional and ceremonial leadership.

Physical description

Digital scans of black and white negatives

Inscriptions & markings

Governor McCaughey at Sunshine 321.2