Our Patrons

Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC and Mr Wilson

Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC is the 39th Governor of New South Wales, commencing her five year tenure on 2 May 2019.

Prior to her appointment as Governor, Her Excellency enjoyed a long and distinguished law career spanning 43 years, during which time she served as a role model for women in law at both the State and national level.

Appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1989, in 1993 she was made a judge of the Federal Court of Australia, the first woman to sit exclusively in that Court. In 1996, she achieved the distinction of being the first woman appointed to the New South Wales Court of Appeal and, subsequently, as the first woman to be appointed as its President. She served, on a number of occasions, as Administrator of the Government of the State of New South Wales.

She was made a Companion of the Order of Australia in the Australia Day Honours List on 26 January 2020 for “eminent service to the people of New South Wales, particularly through leadership roles in the judiciary, and as a mentor of young women lawyers”.

Her Excellency has three children – Erin, Lauren and Anthony Sullivan – and is married to Mr. Dennis Wilson, a barrister, mediator, accredited international arbitrator and Adjunct Professor of Law, at Notre Dame University, Sydney.

Her Excellency brings her deep commitment to education, youth leadership, human rights and social justice to the role in service of the people of New South Wales.

Mr Dennis Wilson is a barrister, mediator, and accredited international arbitrator, whose work generally includes difficult cases in both fact and law, dealing in matters of high value or involving significant principle.

He is a long-standing member of the legal profession in Australia and has advised on legislative review and policy development and implementation in environmental law and in the mining and resources sectors. Mr Wilson has a particular interest in the World Trade Organisation, the Energy Charter Treaty, Mining and Oil and Gas law and dispute resolution.

Mr Wilson, is an Adjunct Professor of Law, at Notre Dame University, Sydney.

Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC and Mr Wilson

Quote and Image Source:
Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, from the Celebration to Mark the Handing Over of BBM Historical Records to the State Library of NSW (Monday, 27 March 2023, State Library of NSW)

Instead of assisting young British men come to Australia for training and work opportunities, BBM now supports young Australians going overseas to further their education and careers. As Patron, I have the privilege of hosting the presentation of these awards and commend BBM for providing so many young Australians the opportunity to learn, grow, and flourish with experiences gained overseas.