 On 1 August 1946 , Northcott became the first Australian @-@ born , and one of the longest @-@ serving , Governors of New South Wales . As such , he gave patronage and support to many charitable organisations and to youth , church and citizens ' groups . Blamey was unable to secure a knighthood for Northcott for his military service , it being Australian Labor Party policy not to award knighthoods at that time . 
