Salvation Army Bridgehaven; Hands on Learning; Coolibah Centre; Brotherhood of St Laurence Women’s Network; Elizabeth Hoffman House; Q ArtStudio; Hartnett House; Johnston Collection

On Tuesday 15 May 2012, in Preston, the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO, in recognition of International Families Day and as Patron of the Salvation Army, met with staff and residents at the Bridgehaven Centre, accompanied by Commissioner Raymond Finger and Commissioner Aylene Finger.

Afterwards, at the Collingwood Alternative School, the Governor-General, as Patron, and Mr Michael Bryce AM AE, as guests of the Chairman of Hands on Learning Australia, Mr Ian Ward-Ambler, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Mr Russell Kerr, Director, Ms Julie Klein, and the Principal of Collingwood Alternative School, Mr Chris Astley, met with current and past participants of the Hands On program.

Later, at the Coolibah Centre, Fitzroy, the Governor-General, as guest of the Manager, Ms Marica Cindric, met with clients during the lunch service.

Then, at the Brotherhood of St Laurence Headquarters, the Governor-General, as guest of the Chair of the Board, the Right Reverend Bishop Philip Huggins, and Executive Director, Mr Tony Nicholson, met with clients and supporters of the Women’s Network program.

Then, in Northcote, the Governor-General, as guest of the Chair, Ms Monica Morgan, and Deputy-Chair, Ms Clarisse Slater, met with staff and residents of the Elizabeth Hoffman Aboriginal Women’s Service.

In the afternoon, at Kew Court House, the Governor-General and Mr Bryce, as guests of the Manager of Q ArtStudio Gallery, Ms Jan Rowlinson, met with artists and their families.

Afterwards, at Hartnett House, Brunswick, the Governor-General, as Patron of Early Childhood Intervention Australia and as guest of the Chief Executive Officer of Melbourne Citymission, Reverend Ric Holland, and the Director of Children and Disability Services, Ms Liz Bishop, met with children and family participants of Melbourne Citymission’s Early Childhood Development Program.

In the evening, at the Melbourne Arts Centre, the Governor-General and Mr Bryce, as guests of the Chief Executive Officer of Opera Australia, Mr Adrian Collette AM, and the Artistic Director, Mr Lyndon Terracini, attended Rossini’s ‘The Barber of Seville’.

Earlier, at Fairhall House, East Melbourne, Mr Bryce, as guest of the Assistant Curator, Ms Angela Hesson, viewed the Johnston Collection.