Mostyn, who was 10 and in grade five in Canberra in 1975, says she cannot see the catastrophic issues that would lead her to use the reserve powers. Citing Badgett, she says they are most powerful in their threat of use. It is not for an unelected governor-general to interfere; Australians decide at the ballot box.

Mostyn says one of her great powers is the right to be consulted, to caution and to warn. In Executive Council, seeing delegated legislation, appointments and treaties, she can raise concerns with ministers, and in formal meetings with the Prime Minister about every couple of months she shares what she sees, without trying to influence him politically.

No. Mostyn says governors-general are chosen by an Australian Prime Minister and the Crown has never rejected an Australian choice. The King never rings with suggestions, just as he doesn't interfere with the UK Prime Minister. He does contact her at key moments; after the Bondi tragedy he called to pass on condolences and good wishes to injured police officers.

Two groups: students in grade five and six, who learn the foundations and visit Canberra on civics tours, and new citizens, who must learn the system and often left countries without rule of law. Knowledge drops off in high school, and the most woeful lack of understanding is among adults, often those who attack the system.

When sworn in just over two years ago, she felt Australia had lost something post-COVID: its respect for each other was deteriorating. After reading reports on poor understanding of democracy and meeting former governors-general and prime ministers, she wanted to signal that care, kindness and respect were very important to the nation's future.

At the National Conference of the Local Government Association in Canberra, attended by about 1,300 to 1,500 mayors and councillors, representatives told Mostyn that incivility and direct threats against them make it very difficult to seek office. They are also managing community recovery from floods, heat and drought, where anger grows among people who feel left behind.

Mostyn says she sought an exemption from the Federal Electoral Commissioner, as some predecessors did, so she does not go to a ballot box during her term. She wants to be totally beyond politics, not be asked who she is voting for at a democracy sausage stall, and to show no political preference while Governor-General.

Mostyn describes her role as constitutional, ceremonial, commander-in-chief and community. The constitutional and ceremonial parts include presiding over the Executive Council, royal assent, appointing ministers and dissolving Parliament, while community work has become a bigger part of her job, including visiting every state and territory twice so far.

She uses speeches, the website and especially Instagram, Facebook and increasingly LinkedIn to invite Australians behind the scenes, such as before swearing in ministers or signing a bill, and posts reels of students' questions. Rather than punish people for not knowing civics, she wants to show what happens behind closed gates and ceremony.

Mostyn keeps fit by walking in the gardens and in Canberra, knits and does craft to reflect on what she sees, reads prodigiously, fills the houses with books, and spends time in galleries, museums and libraries. She relies on her husband, daughter, close family and friends, and draws energy from meeting Australians every week.