21/09/2026
I was incredibly lucky to be invited by Eurobodalla Mayor Matt Hatcher, along with four other local “industry leaders” (his words, not mine!), to a private lunch with Her Excellency, the Governor-General of Australia.
We were briefed on all the official protocol beforehand, only for her to walk in and almost immediately say, “Please don’t call me that, just call me Sam - it makes it less awkward!” 😂
I was seated directly opposite her, and we chatted about what she loves about being Governor-General, meeting the King for the first time and apparently King Charles accepts hugs!
But the moment I’ll remember most came when I mentioned the National Emergency Medal that 26 of us received for our service to our community during the Black Summer fires.
She asked why I wasn’t wearing mine. I admitted it was actually in my handbag because I wasn’t sure if it was appropriate to wear it.
Next thing I knew, she announced that she was going to officially present it to me herself.
She told me I should always wear it with pride and never be humble about it, because recognition like this is supposed to inspire other people in the community to step up too.
That one got me 💛
Such a surreal and special afternoon, and one I feel incredibly grateful to have been part of.
And then I did then spend a little while driving around Oaks Ranch because I couldn’t find the exit 😂
