10 Facts About James Gobbo

James Gobbo was born in Carlton, Victoria, on 22 March 1931, to Italian parents Antonio and Regina.

James Gobbo was a member of the Xavier College crew that won the 1948 Associated Public Schools Head of the River.

In 1957 James Gobbo married former librarian Shirley Lewis, and had five children.

James Gobbo served from 18 July 1978 until he retired from the bench on 14 February 1994.

James Gobbo served as Lieutenant-Governor of Victoria from 1995 until he was appointed Governor of Victoria in 1997 by Queen Elizabeth II on the advice of the Victorian premier, Jeff Kennett.

James Gobbo was the first Australian state governor of Italian descent.

James Gobbo immediately made it known that he had had an understanding with Kennett for an extension of his term beyond 2000, and expressed deep disappointment that this was not now to occur.

In 2006, James Gobbo was the Chair of the Council of the National Library of Australia, the Council of the Order of Australia and Chair of the Australian Multicultural Foundation.

James Gobbo was appointed a Knight Bachelor in the 1982 New Year Honours; a Companion of the Order of Australia in 1993; and a Knight of Grace of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem in 1997.

James Gobbo was awarded the Centenary Medal in 2001 and was a Knight of Malta.