The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) mourns the passing of Professor The Honourable Dame Marie Bashir AD CVO, a distinguished RANZCP Fellow and tireless advocate for mental health who served as the first female Governor of New South Wales from 2001 to 2014.

An inspiration to many, Dame Marie Bashir's six-decade career in psychiatry left an indelible mark on mental health care in Australia and internationally. 

She was a pioneer in Aboriginal mental health, founding the Aboriginal Mental Health Unit in 1995 with the Aboriginal Medical Service, Redfern, to provide culturally sensitive care at a time when such services were rare. Her relentless compassion also extended to refugee and immigrant children, informed by her early experiences with survivors of Nazi Europe and later work with young refugees from Indochina. 

"Professor Bashir exemplified the best of our profession by combining clinical excellence with genuine humanity and a global vision for mental health care," said RANZCP President Dr Astha Tomar.

"She showed us that psychiatry, at its heart, is about dignity, hope and healing for all people, regardless of circumstance, place of birth, race or religion.

“Professor Bashir will be greatly missed. Her contribution to the field of psychiatry and mental health advocacy will continue to inspire countless generations of practitioners in Australia and beyond.” 

Known the “people’s governor”, Professor Bashir’s work with Indigenous Australians, children and adolescents, refugees from Cambodia and Vietnam, and her passionate advocacy for social inclusion, including for those living with mental illness, demonstrated her unwavering commitment to uplifting the most vulnerable in our community and leaning on our shared humanity.

Her extraordinary contributions reached beyond Australia, notably throughout Southeast Asia, where she established collaborative mental health initiatives and facilitated training exchanges in Vietnam and Thailand. Through these efforts, she played a significant role in enhancing psychiatric services in the region and was recognised with the Mental Health Princess Award in 2003 for her contribution to collaborative mental health programs between Australia and Thailand.

“Professor Bashir was an Australian hero. A beacon of hope, compassion, and courage. She championed equity in mental health care with every fibre of her being, working tirelessly to break down barriers and stigma faced by the most vulnerable,” Dr Tomar said. 

“Her legacy lives on in the countless lives she touched and in the hearts of all who believe in dignity and care for every person. Her loss will be felt deeply by her colleagues at the RANZCP.” 

The College extends its deepest condolences to Dame Marie's family, friends and colleagues. 

For all other expert mental health information visit Your Health in Mind, the RANZCP’s consumer health information website.

ENQUIRIES: For more information, or to arrange an interview call Dishi Gahlowt on +61 437 315 911 or email media@ranzcp.org.  The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists is a membership organisation that prepares medical specialists in the field of psychiatry, supports and enhances clinical practice, advocates for people affected by mental illness and advises governments and other groups on mental health care. For information about our work, our members or our history, visit www.ranzcp.org.

In Australia: If you or someone you know needs help, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or www.lifeline.org.au or the Suicide Callback Service on 1300 659 467 or www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au.

In New Zealand: If you or someone you know needs help, contact Lifeline NZ on 0800 543 354 or www.lifeline.org.nz or the Suicide Crisis Helpline on 0508 828 865 or www.lifeline.org.nz/suicide-prevention.