22nd NT Administrator Vicki O’Halloran reflects on five years of service
From Tassie to the tropics, Vicki O’Halloran describes Darwin as her forever home as she farewells her role of the Crown’s representative. See photos of her life in Government House.
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It has survived 150 years of cyclones, storms and scorching sun – not to mention being hit during the Bombing of Darwin.
But on a midweek morning in January, the Territory’s Government House is remarkably calm.
“She’s here to stay,” outgoing NT Administrator Her Honour The Honourable Vicki O’Halloran OA CVO reflects of the iconic building.
The Crown’s representative welcomes guests in the Prince of Wales room.
Once the Prince’s guest bedroom, the duck egg blue-walled room is adorned with bush paintings and glass bowls of floating petals.
“I often think about the house still being here,” Mrs O’Halloran says.
“We’ve just had that earthquake and I can assure you this house was really rattling and moving.
“Ornaments were off shelves, tiles came off stairwells, and our big clock stopped working.
“But the consistency of the house has always been here – Territorians have told me that provides comfort for them, that they take a lot of pride in their Government House.”
Mrs O’Halloran has received more than 20,000 guests through the House gates during her tenure, from members of the Royal family to preschoolers, politicians and cattle farmers.
Her Honour’s warm welcome has undoubtedly characterised every interaction.
Just a handful of meetings, events and calls are left before she departs the role on January 30.
It will be a moment Mrs O’Halloran – and the Territory – recognises with deep gratitude.
“I was offered the role (in 2017) by the then Chief Minister Michael Gunner, which was, I have to say, absolutely unexpected,” she says.
“I’d been to Government House to attend numerous functions, and throughout my career I’ve had lots of association with the administrators of the day, but it never crossed my mind that I might be one.
“And it’s been such a thrill.”
She says one of her biggest desires in the role has been to spend as much time with Territorians as possible.
“I feel that responsibility, no matter where I go, to take time with the people and I really enjoy that,” she says.
“It’s something that I think is a real privilege in the role – that people do want to share their stories with you.
“Some will stay in the vault forever … and there are others that have been shared for the purpose of me being able to influence and share information with decision makers.”
Alongside daily community engagement duties as Administrator, she is a patron to more than 60 organisations – and strives to “make a positive contribution” to each one.
But making a difference to the Territory is something Mrs O’Halloran has done long before her five-year stint representing the Crown.
She and her husband Craig moved to Darwin on Boxing Day of 1989, joining her brother Michael and their parents who had already moved here from their hometown Smithton, on the far northwest coast of Tasmania.
A few years later she joined and eventually led Somerville Community Services, where she remained for 24 years working on a myriad of projects in the disability sector.
In 2015, Mrs O’Halloran was made a Member of the Order of Australia for her service.
This honour was advanced to the Officer of the Order of Australia within five years.
This month, she became a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order – and the first Territorian to be awarded a gong by King Charles III.
Despite her long list of accolades, it is the little moments of connection Mrs O’Halloran reflects on most; hosting sunrise yoga sessions on the terrace and inviting local primary schoolers to decorate her Christmas tree.
Being in remote communities, particularly with their women and elders, is another part of the role she will always remember.
“They have always embraced me with a warm hug, and you know, I don’t mind a hug,” she says.
“I suppose it’s been unexpected, the way I have been so warmly received.
“What was unexpected was an experience with a good friend of mine, Dr Kathy (Gotha) Guthadjaka.
“I invested Dr Guthadjaka on Gawa, Elcho Island, with her Order of Australia.
“She then extended an opportunity for me to be adopted into the Warramirri clan, of the Yirritja.
“We had a ceremony with nearly 30 of her extended family from Gawa and Galiwin’ku here at Government House.
“That day was totally overwhelming – you never expect in your lifetime to be asked to be part of a clan.
“We all wore ceremonial dress of a lemon skirt and a white top.”
Former chief minister Michael Gunner said Mrs O’Halloran had been beside Territorians for some of our biggest moments.
“Vicki’s a great Territorian and has been a warm, welcoming, and impressive Administrator,” Mr Gunner said.
“During her tenure, Cyclone Marcus hit the Top End, the Covid-19 pandemic came, Queen Elizabeth II passed away and King Charles has become our new head of state.
“During all these events, she has been there for all Territorians and has shown the caring and graceful nature that she’s always been known for.
“I wish Vicki, Craig and Coco all the best for their future in the Territory.”
As for what is next, the O’Hallorans have made little plans other than to visit their daughter Coco, who works in the research and policy sector in Melbourne, and settle into a new Darwin abode.
“This is our forever home,” she says of the Territory.
Territorians can bid farewell to the 22nd Administrator at a Government House ceremony on Monday, January 30, from 3.30pm.
Former chief health officer Dr Hugh Heggie PSM will be sworn into the role on January 31.
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