Howitzers, planes and a ride in an open-top Mercedes through Sydney, the state's first female governor has said goodbye to Government House to the sound of a 19-gun salute.
After more than 13 years as the Queen's NSW representative, Dame Marie Bashir celebrated her last day in office with a vice-regal salute and farewell procession along Sydney's Macquarie Street.
For the hundreds of Sydney-siders who flocked to the gates of Government House and lined Macquarie Street in glorious sunshine to catch a glimpse of Her Excellency, there was no shortage of pomp on display.
Five police motorbike escorts, 22 mounted troops and a farewell procession led by The Federation Guard & Navy Band, helped make it a ceremony befitting NSW's second longest-serving governor.
Leaving Government House for the last time as governor, Her Excellency was met by military music for her swan song inspection of the guard.
The mantle will be handed to General David Hurley in a separate ceremony on Thursday, but Wednesday was about saying goodbye to one of NSW's most popular officials.
Once the music died down and the inspection was complete, Ms Bashir, 83, was driven down Macquarie Street in a convertible Mercedes to say goodbye to hundreds of Sydneysiders who lined the sidewalk for her motorcade to Parliament House.
As the procession left Government House, it was to the sound of a 19-gun salute and the roar of three fighter jets and two transport planes from the RAAF as they flew past to pay tribute to the woman who will not be soon forgotten.
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