Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC – Governor of South Australia – “From the University of Adelaide to Government House: the long route”

Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC is a proud sixth-generation South Australian: her mother, the Honourable Jennifer Cashmore AM, was a South Australian parliamentarian; her late father, Ian, was a manager at Hills Industries and her late step‑father, Stewart Cockburn AM, was a distinguished Walkley award winning journalist.

Her Excellency studied economics at the University of Adelaide, and went on to join the Commonwealth Department of Foreign Affairs in 1985. She worked in Hong Kong during the early years of China’s reform and opening, eventually becoming Australia’s Ambassador to China from 2011-2015.

In 2016, Her Excellency was appointed head of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. She has also been International Adviser to the Prime Minister and Chief of Staff to the Foreign Minister and Defence Minister. In June 2021 Her Excellency was made a Companion of the Order of Australia for eminent service to public administration

Her Excellency is married to Mr Rod Bunten, a former British diplomat and high school teacher. They have four adult children and a cavoodle, Alfie.