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.