Canberra, Australian Capital Territory

On Wednesday 13 November 2019, at Government House, Canberra, His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd), accompanied by Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley, received Letters of Credence accrediting Mr Joe Tapera Mhishi as the Ambassador of the Republic of Zimbabwe. The Ambassador was accompanied by Ms Victoria Chipoka, Counsellor and Mr Charles Mayengehama, First Secretary. The Governor-General and Mrs Hurley also received Mrs Pretty Mhishi.

Afterwards, the Governor-General received Letters of Credence accrediting Mr Samson Vilvil Fare as the High Commissioner for the Republic of Vanuatu. The High Commissioner was accompanied by Mr Evaristo Chalet, Second Secretary.

Later, the Governor-General received Letters of Credence accrediting Mr Mahesh Raj Dahal as the Ambassador of Nepal. The Ambassador was accompanied by Ms Durapada Sapkota, Counsellor; Mr Nirmal Prasad Bhattarai, Second Secretary; and Mr Yadab Prasad Koirala, Third Secretary. The Governor-General and Mrs Hurley also received Mrs Prabha Dahal.

Then, the Governor-General received Letters of Credence accrediting Mr Anumula Gitesh Sarma as the High Commissioner of the Republic of India. The High Commissioner was accompanied by Mr Karthigeyan Palaniswamy Subramanyan, Deputy Head of Mission; Mr Ajay Srivastava, Counsellor; and Captain Manish Kumar Rai, Defence Advisor. The Governor-General and Mrs Hurley also received Mrs Ratnamala Sarma.

In the afternoon, the Governor-General and Mrs Hurley hosted a lunch in honour of the newly accredited Heads of Mission. Guests included Her Excellency Mrs Nineta Barbulescu; Mr Dan Barbulescu; Mr Evaristo Chalet; Ms Victoria Chipoka; His Excellency Mr Mahesh Raj Dahal; Mrs Prabha Dahal; His Excellency Mr Mark Glauser; Mr Christopher Langman; Ms Kate Logan; Ms Isabelle Martin; His Excellency Mr Joe Tapera Mhishi; Mrs Pretty Mhishi; Mr Steve Murtagh; Mr Kathigeyan Palaniswamy Subramanyan; Mr Chandy Paul; Mr Durapada Sapkota; His Excellency Mr Anumula Gitesh Sarma; Mrs Ratnamala Sarma; and His Excellency Mr Samson Vilvil Fare.

Afterwards, the Governor-General and Mrs Hurley conducted a Skype session with students from Broughton Anglican School, Menangle Park, New South Wales, and later, students from St Mary’s Primary School, Sea Lake, Victoria.

Then, the Governor-General, as Patron, and Mrs Hurley, hosted a reception for state and territory representatives of Playgroup Australia.

Earlier, the Governor-General and Mrs Hurley met with students from Armidale City Public School, New South Wales, as the students undertook a tour of Government House as part of their visit to Canberra.