Canberra, Australian Capital Territory

On Wednesday 11 December 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 Rotana Chann as the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Cambodia. The Ambassador was accompanied by Mrs Vira Chea, First Secretary, Ms Kunthea Tuot, Counsellor, and Lieutenant Colonel Sopheak Mao, Assistant Defence Attache. The Governor-General and Mrs Hurley also received Ms Sophytoth Phon.

Afterwards, the Governor-General received Letters of Credence accrediting Mr Mahmoud Mohamed Gamal Eldin Zayed as the Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt. The Ambassador was accompanied by Mrs Aliaa Hamdi Hassan Abou El Naga, Counsellor, Mr Mohamed Maamoun Elsayed Maamoun, Counsellor, and Mr Mohamed Yehia Abdelsalem Elkambeshawy, Attache.

Later, the Governor-General received Letters of Credence accrediting Mr Merzak Belhimeur as the Ambassador of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria. The Ambassador was accompanied by Mr Cherif Khali, Counsellor. The Governor-General and Mrs Hurley also received Mrs Lila Belhimeur.

In the afternoon, the Governor-General and Mrs Hurley hosted a lunch in honour of the newly accredited Heads of Mission. Guests included Mrs Aliaa Abou El Naga; Mr Dan Barbulescu; Her Excellency Mrs Nineta Barbulescu; Mrs Lila Belhimeur; His Excellency Mr Merzak Belhimeur; His Excellency Mr Rotana Chann; Mr Cherif Khali; Mrs Candice Lambert; Ms Kate Logan; Ms Sophyroth Phon; Mr Tony Sheehan; Mr Paul Singer MVO; Mrs Kunthea Tuot; His Excellency Mr Mahmoud Mohamed Gamal Elidin Zayed; and Ms Rania Mohamed Gamaleldin Mostafa Zayed.

Afterwards, the Governor-General and Mrs Hurley, as guests of Professor Michael Frater, Rector, attended the UNSW Canberra 2019 Degree Conferral for Engineering, Science and Technology.
In the evening, the Governor-General and Mrs Hurley hosted a Christmas reception for patronage organisations at Government House, Canberra.

In the evening, the Governor-General and Mrs Hurley hosted a Christmas reception for patronage organisations at Government House, Canberra.