Canberra, Australian Capital Territory

On Wednesday 19 February 2020, 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 Wolfgang Lukas Strohmayer as the Ambassador of the Republic of Austria. The Ambassador was accompanied by Mrs Viktoria Wagner, Minister-Counsellor; Mr Josef Prelec, Counsellor and Consul; and Mr Karl Hartleb, Consul-General. The Governor-General and Mrs Hurley also received Mrs Natalie Strohmayer.

Afterwards, the Governor-General received Letters of Credence accrediting Mr Manuel Mauricio Montalvo Samaniego as the Ambassador of the Republic of Ecuador. The Ambassador was accompanied by Mrs Maria Alexandra Reyes Cedeño, Attaché. The Governor-General and Mrs Hurley also received Mrs Irina Ona Lemos.

Later, the Governor-General received Letters of Credence accrediting Mr Georges Papacostas as the Ambassador of the Hellenic Republic of Greece. The Ambassador was accompanied by Mr Ioannis Ferentinos, Deputy Head of Mission and Counsellor The Governor-General and Mrs Hurley also received Ms Gohar Badalyan.

Then, the Governor-General received Letters of Credence accrediting Ms Inês Maria de Almeida as the Ambassador of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste. The Ambassador was accompanied by Mr Samuel Soares, First Secretary; Colonel José Da Costa Soares, Defence Attaché; Mr Alfonso De Jesus, Security Attaché.

In the afternoon, the Governor-General and Mrs Hurley hosted a lunch in honour of newly accredited Heads of Mission. Guests included, Her Excellency Mrs Nineta Barbulescu and Mr Dan Barbulescu; Her Excellency Ms Inês Maria De Almeida; Mr Walter Mac’Aiven Diamana; Mr Ioannis Ferentions; Mr Karl Hartleb; Ms Elly Lawson; Ms Kate Logan; His Excellency Mr Mauricio Montalvo Samaniego and Mrs Irina Ona Lemos; His Excellency Mr George Papacostas; Mrs Maria Alexandra Reyes; His Excellency Mr Robert Sisilo and Ms Priscilla Sisilo; Mr Samuel Soares; His Excellency Mr Wolfgang Lukas Strohmayer and Mrs Natalie Strohmayer.

Earlier, the Governor-General met with students from St Joan of Arc Primary School, Brighton and St Margaret’s School, Berwick Victoria as the students undertook a tour of Government House as part of their visit to Canberra.