18 Facts About Linda Dessau

Linda Dessau was the first female and the first Jewish holder of the office.

Linda Dessau was previously a judge of the Family Court of Australia from 1995 to 2013.

Linda Dessau spent time in Israel as a young woman, including several months as a kibbutznik at Sdot Yam.

Linda Dessau was educated at St Catherine's School, Toorak, matriculating at the age of sixteen.

Linda Dessau graduated with a Bachelor of Laws with Honours from the University of Melbourne in 1973 as its youngest law graduate.

Linda Dessau was admitted to practise as a solicitor and barrister in 1975.

Linda Dessau worked as associate partner with Melbourne-based family law firm Wisewoulds, later practising as a barrister in family law matters for four years.

Linda Dessau was appointed senior crown counsel and prosecuted criminal jury trials and appeals.

Linda Dessau returned to Australia in 1985 and the following year was appointed as a magistrate with the Magistrates' Court of Victoria.

Linda Dessau was supervising magistrate of the court's civil and family division until her appointment to the Family Court of Australia in 1995.

Linda Dessau was appointed to the AFL Commission in November 2007, the second woman ever appointed to the Commission, and attracted speculation that she might become the first female chair of the Commission.

Linda Dessau is a supporter of the Essendon Football Club, and in 1997 she started, and was the inaugural chair of, the Essendon Women's Network, which for more than a decade has maintained a strong presence in the grand final week calendar.

Linda Dessau was appointed to the board of the Melbourne Festival, of which she became president in 2014.

Linda Dessau was a member of the Council of Trustees of the National Gallery of Victoria from August 2013, resigning on 27 March 2015 following the announcement of her appointment as governor.

On 1 November 2021, Linda Dessau succeeded Queensland governor Paul de Jersey as the longest-serving incumbent state governor.

Linda Dessau is one of five Jews to have served in a viceregal capacity in Australia, after governors-general Sir Isaac Isaacs and Sir Zelman Cowen, and governors Sir Matthew Nathan and Gordon Samuels.

In 2016, the level of expenses for capital works and ongoing maintenance requested by Linda Dessau were alleged to be excessive, and a former Government House employee told the Herald Sun that the working environment there was "toxic".

Linda Dessau is married to Anthony Howard, AM, KC, a former judge of the County Court of Victoria.