Federal Executive Council; Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne commemorative ceremony; Shrine of Remembrance tour; Official opening of the Main Ridge Rural Fire station; Australasian College of Road Safety awards ceremony

On Thursday 13 November 2014, at Government House, Canberra, the Governor-General, General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd), presided at a meeting of the Federal Executive Council.

Afterwards, at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne, the Governor-General, as a guest of the Chairman, Mr Ken Harrison, attended a commemorative ceremony in honour of the ANZAC centenary and planted a Gallipoli Oak.

Later, at the Shrine of Remembrance, Melbourne, the Governor-General, as a guest of the Chief Executive of the Shrine of Remembrance Foundation, Mr Denis Baguley, viewed the Galleries of Remembrance.

Then, at Main Ridge, the Governor-General officially opened the Main Ridge Rural Fire station and met with volunteers, families and members of the local community

Afterwards, at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, Melbourne, the Governor-General, as Patron, attended the Australasian College of Road Safety (ACRS) awards ceremony and presented the Fellowship award and the 3M – ACRS Diamond Road Safety awards.

Earlier, at Brisbane Airport, the Governor-General was represented at the arrival in Australia of the Head of State of the Federative Republic of Brazil, Her Excellency Ms Dilma Rouseff, by Mr Mark Fraser LVO OAM, Official Secretary to the Governor-General.

Afterwards, at Brisbane Airport, the Governor-General was represented at the arrival in Australia of the representative of the Head of State of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz, by Mr Mark Fraser LVO OAM, Official Secretary to the Governor-General.

Later, at Sydney International Airport, the Governor-General was represented at the departure from Australia of the President of the Republic of Gabon, His Excellency Mr Ali Bongo Ondimba, by Commander Theodore Wynberg ADC RAN, Honorary Aide-de-Camp.