On Sunday 20 April 2008, the Governor-General His Excellency Major General Michael Jeffery AC CVO MC departed Australia on a visit to the Middle East region.

Following the Governor-General's departure from Australia, the Governor of New South Wales, Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO, assumed the Administration of the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia. In the morning, at St Stephen's Anglican Church, Willoughby, the Administrator attended an ANZAC service of Remembrance and Thanksgiving. Later at Gordon, the Administrator attended a High Tea at Eryldene Historic House and Garden as Guest of Honour.