Tasmanian Governor Kate Warner’s considered resigning following her cancer diagnosis but will keep working while fighting the disease
UPDATED: Tasmania’s Governor will continue to carry out her official duties while undergoing treatment for cancer. SEE THE VIDEO
Tasmania
Don't miss out on the headlines from Tasmania. Followed categories will be added to My News.
UPDATED: TASMANIAN Governor Kate Warner says she is “very hopeful” she will be able to continue carrying out her official duties without “too much disruption” while undergoing treatment for cancer.
Professor Warner broke the news of her diagnosis at Government House this morning — supported by her husband Richard Warner, Premier Will Hodgman and Government House Official Secretary David Owen.
The 70-year-old announced she would require a number of cycles of chemotherapy over several months to treat Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.
The governor said she wanted to be a role model for other people suffering with lymphoma after making the decision to continue carrying out her official duties.
“The good news is that this is very treatable and curable,” she said. “I’m very hopeful this won’t cause too much disruption to my role.
“Of course I did consider whether I should resign or not, but I’m assured that as I am fit and healthy otherwise, I should respond well to the treatment and hopefully I will also tolerate it well.”
“I’m very positive about the outcome. If possible, I would very much like to continue in this role which I’ve been enjoying so much.”
Professor Warner said she’d already received a huge amount of support from her “fabulous family, strong friendship group and amazing colleagues”, despite only starting to tell people about her diagnosis recently.
The discovery of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma was made after Professor Warner sought medical advice about a sore hip.
“After discovering I had a cracked hip, we thought perhaps I should have another MRI to see if I could still climb [Maria Island’s] Bishop and Clerk this summer holidays,” she said.
“But when it hadn’t mended we had to do a bit more investigation and hence we found out I had lymphoma.”
As patron of the Tasmanian Cancer Council, Prof Warner said she already knew a lot about cancer but her diagnosis had led her to discover more about the disease.
Mr Owen said staff at Government House would support Her Excellency “all the way through” this challenge.
“We, the staff, greatly respect the office of the Governor of Tasmania and it is a great privilege and pleasure to work for and with the governor and Mr Warner,” he said.
“It’s in that spirit that we’ll continue on with you through to the end of your term later this year.”
Mr Owen said events in the Government House calendar would continue, with either Prof Warner or Lieutenant-Governor Alan Blow, who is also the Chief Justice of Tasmania, officiating. There’s also provision for a Deputy Governor to be appointed.
“For those who might be considering requesting the governor to host and event here, or to invite the governor or Mr Warner anywhere across the state, please do that,” Mr Owen said.
Mr Hodgman said Prof Warner’s decision to continue as Governor was a sign of her character and commitment.
“On behalf of the Government and all Tasmanians, I wish Her Excellency the very best for her upcoming treatment,” he said.
“While this will likely be a challenging period for Her Excellency and her family, I am pleased she wishes to continue to undertake her duties as governor. There’s no reason why she cannot and arrangements can be made, if required, to accommodate the treatment program.
“All Tasmanians would appreciate the considerable enthusiasm, energy and commitment that Kate Warner has dedicated to this important job.
“The functions of government will continue as normal and we wish Her Excellency a speedy recovery.”
Opposition leader Rebecca White said Professor Warner had the full support of the Labor team during this challenging time.
“This news has come as a shock to our members and our thoughts are with Professor Warner as she undergoes chemotherapy over the coming months,” Ms White said.
“We respect Professor Warner’s decision to continue with her official duties while having treatment. Professor Warner is a strong and determined woman and I am optimistic she will overcome this.”
Tasmanian Greens leader Cassy O’Connor also sent best wishes to Professor Warner. “It is a mark of our governor’s enormous commitment that she intends to keep working during treatment for a serious illness,” she said.
“We send lots of love and wish Her Excellency a speedy return to good health in the near future.”
Prof Warner’s five-year term as governor is up on December 9 this year but it is not uncommon for the Premier to extend the position.
EARLIER: TASMANIAN Governor Kate Warner will continue to carry out her official duties while undergoing treatment for a cancer.
Professor Warner and Premier Will Hodgman have met at Government House this morning to make an announcement about the Governor’s health.
In a statement earlier this morning, the Governor’s official secretary David Owen said Professor Warner had been diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.
“This is curable and will require a number of cycles of chemotherapy over a period of several months,” Mr Owen said.
“As the Governor is otherwise fit and healthy there is a good chance that she will tolerate the treatment reasonably well and that she will be able to organise her duties around it without too much disruption to them,” he said.
MORE TO COME
TASMANIA’S GOVERNOR KATE WARNER
TRAILBLAZER KATE WARNER NAMED NEW GOVERNOR
TALKING POINT: STARING DOWN CANCER WITH APLOMB
AUSTRALIA DAY AWARDS 2017: CATHERINE WARNER AC
TALKING POINT: SHOULDERING CANCER’S HUGE BURDEN
Sending Governor Kate Warner strength, courage and best wishes for her treatment upon hearing the news she has been diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.
— Rebecca White (@bec_white) January 12, 2019
MORE OF TODAY’S NEWS
O’Byrne pulls plug on support for Ferguson, says Premier must act
The survival of key Liberal Michael Ferguson hangs by a thread after key independent David O’Byrne declared he had lost confidence in the beleaguered Treasurer and Deputy Premier. What Mr O’Byrne said >>
World-leading program which has reduced dementia risk by 25%
A five-year dementia study run out of UTAS is showing drops of 25 per cent in the dementia risk of its study participants. Here is what they are doing to stay healthier for longer.