On Sunday 5 October 2008, in Bourke, NSW, the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC and Mr Michael Bryce AM AE commenced a visit to the Murray Darling Basin.

Afterwards, at St Ignatious Primary School, Bourke, the Governor-General and Mr Bryce, in recognition of World Teachers' Day, attended an afternoon tea with the Sisters of Charity and teachers of St Ignatious Primary School. Later, at the Bourke City Council Chambers, the Governor-General and Mr Bryce received a briefing on water management in the Murray Darling Basin by the Chairman of the Office of Rural Financial Counselling Service, Mr Cec Dorrington. In the evening, at the Back O' Bourke Exhibition Centre, Bourke, the Governor-General and Mr Bryce attended a Civic Reception, hosted in their honour, by the Mayor of the Bourke Shire Council, Councillor Andrew Lewis.