Governor-General Sam Mostyn reflects on year of selfies, service and funky suits

Sam Mostyn isn't your average governor-general.

During her first year in office, she's modernising her role and prioritising a culture of care. She's a hugger, a selfie-taker, an Indigenous art appreciator, and a fan of funky suits.

But don't let that fool you — the former lawyer and AFL commissioner certainly understands how to make an impact.

"I have no political role, I have no politics, I have no policies of my own," she tells ABC TV's Compass.

"But I can talk about those [I] visit back to those that have some say.

From day one, Ms Mostyn put that power to use.

At her inauguration, for instance, she donned a striking blue suit with wattle pinned to the lapel.

It was crafted by The Social Outfit, a Sydney-based social enterprise that employs migrant women who can sew and offers a pathway to economic stability.

"We had the young Chinese migrant woman who made my suit come to my swearing-in ceremony," she says.

Initially a customer and now The Social Outfit's patron, Ms Mostyn says she's drawn to the organisation's ethos and the way it addresses gaps in essential services.

"I'd been very aware of [Australia's] settlement services, particularly for women, particularly if they were partners of those that had come in on migrant visas," she says.

"Often those women did not have their own agency or ability to earn or get their own education."

And that's why The Social Outfit is so effective.

"The money that is made is all ploughed back into education and TAFE programs for [employees] to have job security in the fashion industry," Ms Mostyn says.

"I am very proud that I played that role as patron."

Championing 'the best of Australia'

While a carefully chosen suit beamed onto television screens around the country might be one way of being visible, Ms Mostyn's embrace of social media is another.

She regularly films behind the scenes of her meetings and events, and provides explanations on what different awards and ceremonies mean.

She sees it as an opportunity to champion Australia.

"Increasingly, I'm using small films and vignettes when I meet someone to tell their story," she says.

"And it might be in a country town, it might be in a city, it might be a remote community, it might be in Abu Dhabi, it might be in Gallipoli."

This extends to celebrating acts of goodwill from the business sector.

"Whether it's philanthropy or those that have been successful and support our sporting aspirations, who support those in the disability community, who support programs that wouldn't be funded otherwise, I think that part of my job is to go and find those stories," she says.

From what she can tell, this approach is working.

"Wherever I go, in almost every part of the world … there'll be someone who has a family member as part of a diaspora community in Australia, one of the most successful multicultural nations," she says.

"People really admire the deep First Nations history that we celebrate here.

"They admire the fact that we have such a successful, vibrant democracy, independent judiciary, [and] that we feel like a safe, stable place."

Earlier this year, the governor-general spent time at the Wyanga Aboriginal Aged Care in Sydney's Redfern.

The organisation provides home care services to elders, with the aim of keeping culture and community strong.

For Ms Mostyn, the visit was about listening to the needs of staff members and elders alike.

"One of the things I can do — I speak to ministers and I speak to the prime minister — I can share stories of success," she told the group.

"For me, that starts with care, and the care that you show. You don't just show it to your own community, it extends to everyone you come into contact with."

Finding joy in the job

Indeed, care is a value that Ms Mostyn puts at the centre of her work.

It's a message she leant into during her inauguration speech in July 2024.

"Care has a deep and resonant place in our Australian identity," she said at the time.

"Care is the gentle thought and the outstretched hand that Australians have always been ready to share when great challenges present themselves. Care is the quieter, better part of ourselves."

Since that day, she's sworn in the 31st prime minister of Australia, represented the Australian people at the ANZAC commemoration ceremony at Gallipoli, and attended the funeral for Pope Francis.

But when the prime minister asked her to accept the role, she hesitated before saying yes.

"I did ask him about why he had approached me, why he thought I would be capable of doing the job and what it said about Australia," Ms Mostyn recalls.

"He said ultimately it's time to have a modern, visible and optimistic governor-general who can effectively go out to the country and talk a lot about our constitutional underpinnings and the vibrancy of our democracy and our nation today."

While the PM's endorsement no doubt helped sway her decision, Ms Mostyn actually credits her daughter with convincing her to say yes to the job.

"She was watching [my husband] Simeon and I talking about what it would mean, the upheaval, the capacity … She quietly sat there and then just said, 'Will it make you happy?'" she recalls.

"Thank goodness for our children, and the wisdom of younger people saying, 'You won't do the job well if it doesn't make you happy.'

A woman in power

As only the second woman to serve as governor-general, Ms Mostyn's appointment was not without controversy.

From her salary to her qualifications to her political views, she has weathered a storm of criticism since accepting the position.

"A lot of people were very angry," she says.

"They didn't think a woman could do this job. They didn't think someone who wasn't [an army] general could do this job.

Ms Mostyn believes gender and background shouldn't be barriers to participating in high office if someone has the necessary skills, attributes and commitment.

And, despite her detractors, she knew she was qualified.

"I think when you're asked to serve that you have to actually believe you can serve," she says.

"I had to reflect deeply with my husband and my daughter about whether I was capable of stepping into this role because of both the expectations, but also whether I have the legitimate right to be here and to represent Australians in this role.

"I've come to the view that I do, but I come to it from a particular set of insights."

As the eldest of four daughters in a military family, Ms Mostyn's upbringing instilled in her a value of service.

"My dad's now in his 90s, but he served in the Australian Army for 40 years, and my sisters and I and my mum were all part of a defence family," she says.

Looking ahead and disagreeing well

For the years ahead — she has a five-year term to serve, after all — Ms Mostyn hopes Australia continues to lead the way on issues of diplomacy and "the great Australian value … of respectfully disagreeing, and disagreeing well".

She believes it's essential for our politicians and leaders to model this.

"If we send a message out to the general public that it is OK to be violent, to be angry, to make it personal, I worry that we will lose something that is uniquely Australian," she says.

"We see many conflicts around the world that come back into our diaspora communities, and I spend time in those communities. I know the leaders of those communities do not want to bring those debates and those issues here.

Despite this note of caution, the governor-general remains one of Australia's biggest advocates.

"It's been a year of immense privilege and honour," she says.

"I have travelled almost every part of the country. I've learned more about myself and learned more about Australia and Australians.

Watch The Governor-General One Year On with Geraldine Doogue on Compass on ABC iview.