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Tuesday 21 February 2017

Gavel, the German shepherd pup fostered out to Government House while preparing to become a police dog, has hung up his Queensland Police Service coat for the last time and commenced official duties on Tuesday in a newly created position as the Governor’s Vice-Regal Dog.

Gavel arrived at Government House as a six-week old in April last year, where he has since resided while undergoing a training and socialisation program.

Like many dogs aspiring to join the QPS Dog Squad, Gavel did not display the necessary aptitude for a life on the front line, and will instead spend his working days at Fernberg, where he has become a valued and much-loved part of Government House life.

Gavel’s first official duty in the newly created Vice-Regal Dog position was to greet guests attending Tuesday's Citizenship Ceremony at Government House, where 24 people from 13 countries took the pledge to become Australian citizens.

Gavel’s other duties going forward will include welcoming tour groups, attending functions with the Governor and Mrs de Jersey, and attending formal ceremonies.

Gavel’s new full title is ‘Gavel VRD’ (‘Vice-Regal Dog), and he will now wear a specially-made Government House coat, emblazoned with the Governor’s Personal Standard, the St Edward’s Crown and the brolga, the official bird emblem of Queensland.