Sir Robert was appointed Governor of South Australia in August 1952 . He and Lady George arrived in Adelaide early the following year . The Premier , Sir Thomas Playford , noted in his welcome address to Sir Robert that governors were expected to be " an inspiration in times of danger . " Playford 's words turned out to be portentous – South Australia would suffer through earthquake , fire and flood in consecutive years during Sir Robert 's tenure . In March 1954 , the worst earthquake in Adelaide 's history damaged Government House , along with many other buildings in the city . Less than a year later , the Governor 's summer residence at Marble Hill was destroyed in the Black Sunday bushfires of January 1955 . He and his wife and staff sheltered under wet blankets in the driveway , and were lucky to escape with their lives . In a particularly cruel twist of fate , all Sir Robert and Lady George 's possessions were lost in the fire , having been relocated to Marble Hill while Government House was undergoing repairs for the damage suffered in the earthquake . Finally , the 1956 Murray River flood was the largest in recorded history . On 20 August , Sir Robert surveyed the flood-hit areas in a light aircraft , and said he was " appalled at the tremendous area underwater and the terrific damage which had resulted . " Sir Robert was a colourful governor , once demanding a personal helicopter from Premier Playford . Although admired for his bravery , Sir Robert was considered old-fashioned by the masses , particularly due to his impatience , polo-playing , and his habit of carrying a fly-whisk and a cane . Lady George was an ardent supporter of many charities , but her support for traditional family roles was not popular with the emerging feminists ; once , while officiating at the opening of new laboratories at a girls ' college , she claimed : " The most important thing for a girl is to learn how to run a home well . " Despite their frequent clashes , Playford supported George and the dignity of the Vice-Regal post in a 1956 court case regarding the cook 's wages . The prosecuting lawyer was future Labor premier Don Dunstan . Playford negotiated an out-of-court settlement on condition that Dunstan and his Labor colleagues in the House would not debate the budget item . Labor maverick Samuel Lawn ( the member for Adelaide ) did not honour the agreement , and tried to raise a public scandal . Playford responded by extending George 's term
Black Sunday bushfires
Black Sunday bushfires
Robert George (RAF officer)