GOVERNOR-GENERAL APPOINTED PATRON OF GOOD DESIGN AUSTRALIA

Good Design Australia is proud to announce the Governor-General of Australia, Her Excellency the Honourable Sam Mostyn AC, will become the Patron of the organisation. This historic appointment signals the critically important role of design in shaping Australia’s future.

Design is more than aesthetics – it is a strategic tool that can unlock innovation, drive economic growth, foster social inclusion, and help Australia transition to a sustainable and thriving future. With the patronage of the Governor-General, Good Design Australia is doubling down on its mission to promote the value and impact of design to business and industry, government and consumers and to foster a culture of design thinking, creativity and innovation in Australia.

“I look forward to supporting Good Design Australia as Patron and helping to share their stories about the transformative power of design for our nation,” the Governor-General said. “Design is one of our most powerful tools for solving complex challenges, and imagining new opportunities and possibilities.”

The Governor-General’s appointment comes at a pivotal time, as global economies transition to a low-carbon future and confront challenges such as ageing populations, affordable housing and the impacts of climate change, among them. These are fundamentally design challenges, best addressed through a design process that fosters creativity, empathy, sustainability, and resilience.

From world-class industrial design shaping product innovations, architectural design of our places and spaces, digital design, service design, policy design, to the engineering design of our infrastructure and built environment, to Indigenous design and regenerative design practices guided by the oldest living culture in the world – Australia has a world-class design sector, brimming with potential. 

The contribution to Australia’s GDP of design related industries and workers is approximately AU$67.5 billion per annum, or more than 3.5% of GDP* – equivalent to the size of the construction industry. Unlocking this potential requires embedding design capability into Australia’s economy and society and the broader recognition of design as a national asset.

“Our future prosperity depends on our ability to innovate with purpose,” said Dr Jan Owen AM, outgoing Patron of Good Design Australia. “Design provides the tools, mindsets and methods to tackle our biggest challenges. Her Excellency brings deep expertise, leadership and a lifelong commitment to social and environmental progress.”

One of the roles of Good Design Australia’s Patron is to select and award the Michael Bryce Patron’s Award for Australian Design – a special Award to recognise an Australian designed project that exemplifies excellence in design and innovation and has the potential to have a significant impact on Australia’s quality of life. 

“With a distinguished career spanning corporate leadership, policy advice, social impact, sustainability and gender equality, the Governor-General is uniquely placed to support and help showcase the role of design across every sector of Australia’s economy and society. Her professional background reflects the very principles of good design – strategic, inclusive, and oriented towards long-term impact,” Dr. Jan Owen continued. 

“This is more than an appointment – it’s a rallying call for Australia to embrace design as a force for good. Under the Governor-General’s patronage, Good Design Australia will expand its efforts to recognise, reward and promote design capability, foster cross-sector collaboration, and highlight the critical role design plays in shaping a better future for Australia.” 

The Governor-General will officially take over the role as Patron at the 2025 Australian Good Design Awards Ceremony on Friday 17 October in Sydney.

*Defining Design, IP Australia Report 2020