Canberra, Australian Capital Territory

On Wednesday 8 February 2023, His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd) accompanied by Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley, received Letters of Credence accrediting Her Excellency Ms Arjaree Sriratanaban as the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand. The Ambassador was accompanied by representatives of the Royal Thai Embassy, including Mr Sira Swangsilpa, Minister for Thailand; Group Captain Prasertwit Mahakant, Defence and Air Attaché; Mr Dhisadee Chamlongrasdr, Minister Counsellor.

Afterwards, the Governor-General accompanied by Mrs Hurley, received Letters of Credence accrediting His Excellency Mr Kim Wan-Joong as the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea. The Ambassador was accompanied by his spouse Ms Hae Jin Park, and representatives of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea; Ms Ji Eun Park; Minister and Consul-General, Mr Taesub Kwon, Defence Attaché; and Ms Sewon Kim, Counsellor.

Later, the Governor-General accompanied by Mrs Hurley, received Letters of Credence accrediting His Excellency Mr Beka Dvali as the Ambassador of Georgia. The Ambassador was accompanied by his spouse Mrs Nino Lezhava; and representatives of the Embassy of Georgia, Mr Mikheil Patashuri, Counsellor; Mr Vakhtang Makaridze, Counsellor; and Ms Tamari Pakhuridze, Second Secretary.

Then, the Governor-General, accompanied by Mrs Hurley received Letters of Credence accrediting His Excellency Mr Ufuk Gezer as the Ambassador of Türkiye. The Ambassador was accompanied by representatives of the Embassy of Türkiye, including Mr Umut Vatan Aydin, Counsellor; Mr Ümit Akçiray, Defence Attaché; and Mr Atacan Doruk Kiliç, Second Secretary.

Afterwards, the Governor-General, accompanied by Mrs Hurley received Letters of Credence accrediting His Excellency Mr Antόnio Manuel Albuquerque De Vihena Moniz. The Ambassador was accompanied by a representative of the Embassy of Portugal Republic, Mrs Sofia Rodrigues Guerra, Third Secretary.

Later, the Governor-General and Mrs Hurley hosted a lunch for newly accredited Heads of Mission. Guests included: His Excellency Mr Anto҆nio Manuel Albuquerque de Vilhena Moniz, Ambassador of Portugal; His Excellency Mr Beka Dvali; Ambassador of Georgia and his spouse Mrs Nino Lezhava; His Excellency Mr Kim Wan-Joong, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, and his spouse Ms Park Hae-Jin; Ms Sophia Knight, Acting Chief of Protocol, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; His Excellency Dr Ali Kraishan, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps; Ambassador of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and his spouse Mrs Lubna Kraishan; Mr Craig Maclachlan, Representing the Foreign Minister, Acting Deputy Secretary, International Security, Legal and Consular Group, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade;

Group Captain Prasertwit Mahakant, Defence and Air Attaché, Royal Thai Embassy; Mrs Sofia Rodrigues Guerra, Third Secretary, Embassy of Portugal; Mr Paul Singer MVO, Official Secretary to the Governor-General; and Her Excellency Ms Arjaree Sriratanaban, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand.

Then, the Governor-General received Mr William Costello, Australian Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste.

Afterwards, the Governor-General received His Excellency General Taur Matan Ruak, Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste.

In the Evening, the Governor-General and Mrs Hurley hosted a reception for Soldier On Australia.