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Canberra, Australian Capital Territory

On Wednesday 15 November 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 Mrs Beate Grzeski as the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany. The Ambassador was accompanied by her spouse Dr Markus Ederer and representatives of the Embassy of the Republic of Germany including Ms Sigrid Sommer, Minister Counsellor; Lieutenant Colonel Dominic Vogel, Deputy Defence Attaché; and Ms Saskia Weber, Attaché.

Then, the Governor-General, accompanied by Mrs Hurley, received Letters of Credence accrediting Her Excellency Ms Sharrina Abdullah as the High Commissioner for Malaysia. The High Commissioner was accompanied by representatives of the High Commission of Malaysia including Mr Abu Hirzan Bin Mustapa, Deputy High Commissioner; Colonel Mahamad Mat Idris, Defence Adviser; and Mr Yip Soon Hoo, First Secretary. 

Later, the Governor-General, accompanied by Mrs Hurley, received Letters of Credence accrediting His Excellency Mr Ernesto Dueñas Azucena as the Ambassador of the Republic of El Salvador. The Ambassador was accompanied by his spouse Mrs Esther Cabrera de Dueñas and representatives of the Embassy of the Republic of El Salvador including Ms Astrid Moreno Lopez, Deputy Head of Misson Minister Counsellor; and Mr Cristian Pineda Figueroa, Counsellor.

In the afternoon, the Governor-General and Mrs Hurley hosted a lunch for newly and recently accredited Heads of Mission. Guests included Her Excellency Ms Betty Pavelich, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia; His Excellency Mr Janti Kalajoqa, Ambassador of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan; Mr Yazan Bazadough, Deputy Head of Mission of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan; His Excellency Mr Ajay Amrit, High Commissioner for the Republic of Fiji; Her Excellency Ms Beate Grzeski, Ambassdor of the Federal Republic of Germany and her spouse Dr Markus Ederer; Her Excellency Ms Sharrina Abdullah, High Commissioner for Malaysia; Mr Abu Abu Hirzan Bin Mustapa, Deputy High Commissioner for Malaysia; His Excellency Mr Ernesto Dueñas Azucena, Ambassador of the Republic of El Salvador and his spouse Mrs Esther Cabrera de Dueñas;

Ms Elly Lawson, representing the Foreign Minister, Strategic Planning and Coordination; and Ms Sophia Knight, Acting Chief of Protocol, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; Mr Paul Singer MVO, Official Secretary to the Governor-General; and Mr Jeff Barnes, Deputy Official Secretary to the Governor-General.

Afterwards, the Governor-General and Mrs Hurley, as Joint Patrons, hosted a reception for the Australian Cancer Research Foundation Grants Awards.