Canberra, Australian Capital Territory; Tumut, Adelong, Batlow, New South Wales

On Friday 22 May 2020, Their Excellencies, General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd) and Mrs Linda Hurley, travelled to Tumut, New South Wales.

On arrival, the Governor-General and Mrs Hurley met with Councillor James Hayes, Mayor, Snowy Valleys Council, and received a Welcome to Country from Aunty Sue Bolger before being briefed on the impact of the 2019/20 bushfires on the Riverina Region from Mr John Gregory, District Manager, New South Wales Rural Fire Service; and Mr Charlie Taylor, Fire Manager for Forestry Corporation Stewardship; Councillors Cate Cross and Adrianna Benjamin, and Mr Matthew Hyde, CEO, Snowy Valleys Council.

Afterwards, the Governor-General and Mrs Hurley, as guests of Mr Matt O’Donovan, Manager, visited and met with staff at the Visy Kraft Mill.

Later, the Governor-General and Mrs Hurley, travelled to Adelong, where as guests of Mr Steve Matthews, Camp Coordinator, they attended a small lunch with volunteers and local community representatives at BlazeAid’s Basecamp in Adelong.

In the afternoon, the Governor-General and Mrs Hurley travelled to Batlow. As guests of Mr Darryl Watkins, Brigade Captain, the Governor-General and Mrs Hurley met with RFS volunteers and Snowy Valley Council recovery staff at the Batlow RFS Shed. Then, the Governor-General and Mrs Hurley, as guests of Greg and Kris Mouat, visited Mouats Farm Orchard, where they inspected damage following January bushfires.

Afterwards, the Governor-General and Mrs Hurley, returned to Tumut. As guests of Mr David Eisenhaur, Station Manager and Presenter, the Governor-General and Mrs Hurley participated in a pre-recorded radio interview at Sounds of the Mountains FM 96.3 in Tumut.

In the evening, the Governor-General and Mrs Hurley returned to Government House.