The Governor of NSW, Her Excellency Marie Bashir AC CVO will follow in the footsteps of her colonial predecessor Governor Lachlan Macquarie at a ceremony to be held at Nobbys breakwall tomorrow.

Her Excellency Professor Bashir will unveil a plaque that commemorates Governor Macquarie's visit to the city in 1818, to lay the foundation stone for Macquarie Pier, which linked the mainland to Nobbys Island and is now known as Nobbys breakwall.

The event has been organised by the Coal River Working Party, in conjunction with the University of Newcastle, Newcastle City Council and the Fort Scratchley Historical Society.

With the support of the University of Newcastle, Newcastle City Council, State Government agencies, the University of New England and Hunter-based surveyors and archaeologists, a survey to find the original foundations of Macquarie Pier is now underway.

Built by convict labour, work on the land bridge to Nobbys Island began with the commemoration by Governor Macquarie on August 5, 1818 and was completed in 1846.

As well as the plaque unveiling, there will be a display of Fort Scratchley's might, with a firing of its cannons and a searchlight display that will light up the iconic breakwall.

Picture opportunity: The Macquarie Pier Plaque unveiling ceremony will be held at Nobbys breakwall 4pm Wednesday 4 August 2010.