Giddy-up to the G.G.!

Is it just me or does everyone think the appointment of Quentin Bryce to the position of governor-general is a great day for Australia.

Ms Bryce is 65, she has been married for 43 years to the designer and architect Michael Bryce.

I have met Ms Bryce a couple of times, but I actually sat next to her at lunch about three or four years ago when she was guest speaker at the Caloundra View Club and I was MC.

I’ve met a few women like her – women who have the rare gift of dressing and speaking with impeccable style and grace – yet dealing with everyone who comes their way with warmth and such genuine interest that everyone around them feels special.

Ms Bryce graduated arts law at the age of twenty one when she was pregnant with the first of five children.

Somehow she has managed a legal and political career – specializing in anti discrimation and human rights law - between raising those five children. When I met the governor, she spoke about her children a lot – and I love that.

Quentin Bryce has a strong association with Caloundra – her family holidays here a number of times a year – the governor is often seen in the surf at Moffat Beach…

While a huge fan of Ms Bryce, I'm similarly attached to the idea of an Australian republic.

I love the role of Govenor General (I read today that Michael Jeffrey calls himself a kind of 'cheer leader' for the Australian people) but will be just as happy when it is changed to the role of President.

The Rudd Government promises a republic referendum a the next election.

Unlike 1999, the republic stands a much greater chance of success next time, considering the next opposition leader could easily be Malcolm Turnbull, the former head of the Australian Republican Movement.

As an aside, apparently John Howard tried to appoint the first female governor-general by offering the post to Margaret Jackson but she declined.