Credentials ceremonies; Lunch for newly accredited Heads of Mission; Winston Churchill Memorial Trust presentation ceremony

On Wednesday 20 August 2014, at Government House, Canberra, the Governor-General, General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd) received from His Excellency Mr Bakir Sadović, Letters of Credence accrediting him as the Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Ambassador was accompanied by Mr Dinko Tomac (Counselor). The Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove also received Mrs Merdijana Sadović.

Afterwards, the Governor-General received from His Excellency Mr Daniel Carvallo, Letters of Credence accrediting him as the Ambassador of the Republic of Chile. The Ambassador was accompanied by Mr Carlos Moran (Counsellor), Mr Felipe Orellana (Second Secretary) and Captain Juan Manuel Brander (Defence and Naval Attaché). The Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove also received Mrs Jacqueline Pinto.

Later, the Governor-General received from His Excellency Mr Viktar Shykh, Letters of Credence accrediting him as the Ambassador of the Republic of Belarus. The Ambassador was accompanied by Mr Maksim Makarov (Third Secretary). The Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove also received Mrs Lilia Malinovskaya.

Then, the Governor-General received from Her Excellency Ms Unni Kløvstad, Letters of Credence accrediting her as the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway. The Ambassador was accompanied by Ms Kaja Glomm (First Secretary) and Ms Gry Evenrud (First Secretary). The Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove also received Mr Henri Schumacher.

Afterwards, the Governor-General received from Her Excellency Mrs Mercy Debrah-Karikari, Letters of Commission accrediting her as High Commissioner for the Republic of Ghana. The High Commissioner was accompanied by Mr Rasheed Inusah (Minister), Mr Samuel Kumah (Minister) and Mrs Vera Degbey (Second Secretary). The Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove also received Dr Paul Debrah Karikari.

Later, the Governor-General received from His Excellency Mr Abdolhossein Vahaji, Letters of Credence accrediting him as the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Ambassador was accompanied by Mr Mohsen Chitsaz (Minister Counsellor), Mrs Azra Jafari (Counsellor) and Mr Mohammad Zand (Counsellor).

Then, the Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove hosted a lunch in honour of newly accredited Heads of Mission. Guests included: Mr Chris Cannan; His Excellency Mr Daniel Carvallo and Mrs Jacqueline Pinto; Mr Mohsen Chitsaz; Her Excellency Mrs Mercy Debrah-Karikari and Dr Paul Debrah Karikari; Ms Kaja Glomm; Mr Rasheed Inusah; Her Excellency Ms Unni Kløvstad and Mr Henri Schumacher; Mr Maksim Makarov; Mr Chris Moraitis; Mr Carlos Moran; His Excellency Mr Bakir Sadović and Mrs Merdijana Sadović; His Excellency Mr Viktar Shykh and Mrs Lilia Malinovskaya; Mr Dinko Tomac; His Excellency Mr Abdolhossein Vahaji; and His Excellency Mr Pedro Raul Villagra Delgado.

Afterwards, the Governor-General received the Ambassador-designate to the Kingdom of Belgium, Mr Mark Higgie.

In the evening, the Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove hosted the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust presentation ceremony.

Earlier, Lady Cosgrove, as Patron, received the President of Regional Arts Australia, Mr Dennis Goldner; and the Executive Director of Regional Arts Australia, Ms Lindy Allen.