The Vice Regal couple undertakes monthly regional visits that reflect the Governor’s commitment to engage with communities right across the state.

The visits promote youth leadership; regional and rural growth; innovation; industry, trade and investment; inclusiveness and diversity; and service to state and community.

Mr and Mrs Hurley will arrive in Maitland on Thursday when they will meet students at Tocal College; and will later visit the NSW State Emergency Service Hunter Region Command.

Their visit will continue in Cessnock on Friday and Saturday.

Mount View High School principal Desley Pfeffer said the school is honoured to be hosting the Vice Regal couple and for their interest in the school.

“Their visit will be focused on student achievement – meeting with the newly-formed student leadership group and our F1 in Schools team who are competing at the world championships in September; learning about the school's involvement in White Ribbon's Breaking the Silence school's program; and viewing students' participation in the agricultural program, as part of our status as a Lighthouse School for Agriculture,” Ms Pfeffer said.

Mr and Mrs Hurley will meet with the Hunter New England and Central Coast Primary Health Network, which is working on important regional programs such as the Healthy Weight Initiative.

“It’s more important than ever that we look to the strategies in place to help people reach a healthy weight and reduce the risk of chronic disease,” Governor Hurley said.

A roundtable discussion will be held with Hunter Valley Wine and Tourism Association representatives at Drayton’s Wines, and the Vice Regal couple will also visit DreamSky Aviation – Australia’s first company to design and provide aviation training specifically for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.

Visits to Cessnock PCYC, the Cessnock Men’s Shed and the Handmade in the Hunter markets are also on the agenda.

Cessnock Men’s Shed secretary Col Chapman said they are excited to be welcoming Mr and Mrs Hurley.

“We are looking forward to their observations of the men’s shed. It’s a feather in our cap,” he said.