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Credentials ceremonies; Lunch for newly accredited Heads of Mission; Last Post Ceremony; FASHFEST opening night

On Wednesday 13 May 2015, at Government House, Yarralumla, the Governor-General, General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd), received from His Excellency Mr Joel Sibusiso Ndebele, Letters of Commission accrediting him as the High Commissioner for South Africa. The High Commissioner was accompanied by Mr Ray Sithole (Counsellor), Mr Mandla Nkabeni (Third Secretary) and Ms Salamina Ngwenya (Third Secretary). The Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove also received Mrs Zama Ndebele.

Afterwards, the Governor-General, received from His Excellency Mr Chirachai Punkrasin, Letters of Credence accrediting him as the Ambassador for the Kingdom of Thailand. The Ambassador was accompanied by Mr Vasin Ruangprateepsaeng (Minister), Colonel Nonthawat Pakdipongpitchaya (Army Attaché) and Mr Thanabordee Joothong (First Secretary). The Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove also received Mrs Kanyaratana Punkrasin.

Later, the Governor-General, received from His Excellency Dr Attila László Gruber, Letters of Credence accrediting him as the Ambassador for Hungary. The Ambassador was accompanied by Ms Zsófia Gyombolai (Attaché).

Then, the Governor-General, received from His Excellency Mr Abdelaziz Lahiouel, Letters of Credence accrediting him as the Ambassador for the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria. The Ambassador was accompanied by Mr Hamza Karour (Third Secretary), Mr El Hadj Hadj Moussa (Third Secretary) and Mrs Hassina Bentahar (Administration and Finance Attaché). The Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove also received Mrs Chirine Lahiouel.

Afterwards, the Governor-General, received from His Excellency Mr Sumio Kusaka, Letters of Credence accrediting him as the Ambassador for Japan. The Ambassador was accompanied by Mr Takashi Katae (Minister and Deputy Chief of Mission), Captain Hiroyuki Nakamura (Defence Attaché and First Secretary) and Ms Hiroko Ito (Third Secretary). The Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove also received Mrs Ikuko Kusaka.

Later, the Governor-General, General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd), received from His Excellency Mr Navdeep Suri, Letters of Commission accrediting him as the High Commissioner for Republic of India. The High Commissioner was accompanied by Mr Surinder Datta (Deputy High Commissioner), Captain Chetan Chandegave (Defence Attache) and Mr Mukesh Kumar (First Secretary). The Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove also received Mrs Maninder Suri.

Then, the Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove hosted a lunch in honour of newly accredited Heads of Mission. Guests included: Mr Anthony Brennan; Mr Chris Cannan; Mr Surinder Datta; His Excellency Dr Attila László Gruber; Ms Zsófia Gyombolai; Mr Hamza Karour; Mr Takashi Katae; His Excellency Mr Sumio Kusaka and Mrs Ikuko Kusaka; His Excellency Mr Abdelaziz Lahiouel and Mrs Chirine Lahiouel; Mr Greg Moriarty; His Excellency Mr Joel Sibusiso Ndebele and Mrs Ntombizana Carol Ndebele; His Excellency Mr Chirachai Punkrasin and Mrs Kanyaratana Punkrasin; Her Excellency Mrs Menna Rawlings CMG and Mr Mark Rawlings; Mr Vasin Ruangprateepsaeng; Mr Tiyani Raymond Sithole; His Excellency Mr Navdeep Suri and Mrs Maninder Suri; and His Excellency Mr Pedro Raul Villagra Delgado.

Afterwards, at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, the Governor-General attended the Last Post Ceremony.

In the evening, at the National Convention Centre, Canberra, the Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove attended the opening night of FASHFEST.