State Visit by the President and First Lady of the Gabonese Republic; Timor Leste Isin-Di'Ak Health Fund; Sydney Youth Orchestras; Ceremonial Welcome Tuvalu; Address to Parliament of Tuvalu; State Lunch; Nauti Primary School; Princess Margaret Hospital

On Thursday 29 March 2012, at Defence Establishment Fairbairn, the Administrator of the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia, Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO and Sir Nicholas Shehadie AC OBE, attended the Ceremonial Arrival of the President of the Gabonese Republic, His Excellency Ali Bongo Ondimba and Mrs Sylvia Bongo Ondimba.

Afterwards, at Government House, the Administrator and Sir Nicholas received the Australian Ambassador to the Gabonese Republic, Mr Ian McConville.

Later, the Administrator and Sir Nicholas received the President and First Lady of the Gabonese Republic. The President and First Lady were accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Francophony, Mr Emmanuel Issoze-Ngondet and the Director of the Presidential Cabinet, Mr Maixent Accrombessi.

Then, the Administrator and Sir Nicholas hosted a State Lunch in honour of the President and First Lady of the Gabonese Republic. Guests included: Mr Maixent Accrombessi; Mr Sebastien Ndoutoume Bekale; Ms Marie Djoffon; Mr Arsene Emvahou; Mr Alioune Ibaba; Mr Emmanuel Issoze-Ngondet; Mr Etienne Massard Kabinda; Mr Lin-Joel Ndembet; Mr Magloire Ngambia; Mr Jean Raymond Nzenze; Mr Liban Soleman; Mr Jean-Yves Teale; Ms Anna Burke MP; Mr Chris Campbell; His Excellency Mr Paul Essel; Mr Bill Fisher; the Honourable Teresa Gambaro MP and Mr Robert Duffy; Mr Howard Golden and Ms Ellen Grote; Mr Jeff Hart; Mr Harry Jenkins MP and Mrs Michele Jenkins; Vice Admiral Peter Jones DSC AM RAN and Ms Rhonda Paygent; the Honourable Justice Susan Kiefel AC; Dr Janette Lindesay and Mr Christopher Lindesay; Mr Ian McConville; Her Excellency Ms Koleka Mqulwana; His Excellency Mr Ayoola Lawrence Olukanni and Mrs Helen Oluyemisi Olukanni; Senator Stephen Parry; Deputy Commissioner Michael Phelan APM and Mrs Melinda Phelan; His Excellency Mr Francis Tabone; His Excellency Mr Stephen Tarus and Ms Jane Rotich-Tarus; and Her Excellency Ms Jacqueline Zwambila.

In the afternoon, at the University of Sydney, the Administrator, as guest of the Bosch Professor of Infectious Diseases, Professor Peter McMinn, attended a reception to launch the Timor Leste Isin-Di’Ak Health Fund.

Afterwards, at Government House, Sydney, the Administrator and Sir Nicholas hosted a reception for Sydney Youth Orchestras.

Earlier, at Funafuti International Airport, Tuvalu, the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO, as a guest of the Governor-General of Tuvalu, His Excellency the Honourable Sir Iakoba Taeia Italei, attended a ceremonial welcome, and inspected the Tuvalu Police guard of honour.

Afterwards, at Vaiaku Falekapule, the Governor-General, as guest of the Prime Minister of Tuvalu, the Honourable Willy Telavi, addressed Members of Parliament.

Later, at Government House, the Governor-General met with the Governor-General of Tuvalu.

Then, at Tausoa Lima, the Governor-General, as guest of the Governor-General of Tuvalu, attended a State Lunch hosted in her honour.

In the afternoon, at Nauti Primary School, the Governor-General, as guest of the Principal, Ms Vetty Vave, and the Permanent Secretary for Education, Mr Paulson Panapa, viewed Australian-funded facilities, and met with students and teachers.

Afterwards, at Princess Margaret Hospital, the Governor-General, as guest of the Acting Director for Health, Dr Puakena Borehem, viewed the hospital facilities, and met with patients and staff.