On Sunday 30 August 2009, following the departure from Australia of the Governor-General Ms Quentin ...

On Sunday 30 August 2009, following the departure from Australia of the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC and Mr Michael Bryce AM AE on a visit to the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, the Proclamation assuming the Administration of the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia was signed by the Governor of New South Wales, Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO.

In the morning, at the Presidential Palace, Dili, Timor-Leste, the Governor-General and Mr Bryce, as guests of His Excellency the President Dr Jose Ramos Horta, attended the official celebrations of the 10th Anniversary of the Popular Consultation of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste. Then, at the Prime Minister's Residence, the Governor-General and Mr Bryce, as guests of His Excellency the Prime Minister Mr Kay Rala Xanana Gusm??o and Her Excellency Ms Kirsty Sword-Gusm??o, attended a reception. In the afternoon, at the residence of the Ambassador to Timor-Leste, His Excellency Mr Peter Hayward, the Governor-General and Mr Bryce met with AusAID project officers and health professionals. Afterwards, the Governor-General and Mr Bryce visited the Dare Memorial, accompanied by Her Excellency Ms Kirsty Sword-Gusm??o and personnel from the Australian Defence Force's International Stabilisation Force and Timor-Leste Police Development Program, at which the Governor-General laid a wreath. Then, at Defence Cooperation Program House, the Governor-General and Mr Bryce, as guests of the Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Steven Ferndale, attended an afternoon tea with members of the Australian Defence Force, the Australian Federal Police and Embassy Staff involved in Australia's Defence Cooperation Program. In the afternoon, at the Presidential Palace, the Governor-General and Mr Bryce, as guests of His Excellency the President, attended an investiture ceremony at which General Peter Cosgrove AC MC (Retd) was presented with the Collar of the Order of Merit of Timor-Leste. Earlier, at Brisbane International Airport, the Governor-General was represented at the transit through Australia by the President of the Republic of Nauru, His Excellency the Honourable Marcus Stephen MP, by Colonel David O'Hagan RFD ADC, an Honorary Aide-de-Camp.