Taji, Iraq; Baghdad, Iraq; Kabul, Afghanistan

On Tuesday 6 November 2018, at Taji Military Complex, Iraq, the Governor-General, His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd) met with the officers and soldiers of Task Group Taji-7, as guest of Colonel Michael Say, Commanding Officer. The Governor-General viewed the racing of the Melbourne Cup with the Task Group and presented a replica trophy donated by the Victorian Racing Club.

Afterwards, the Governor-General was officially welcomed to Iraq by Mr Scott Kelleher, Charge D’Affaires, Australian Embassy in Iraq, and Colonel Marcus Constable, Defence Attaché, at Baghdad International Airport.

Then, the Governor-General met with the newly-elected President of the Republic of Iraq, His Excellency Dr Barham Salih, at the Presidential Palace, Baghdad.

Later, the Governor-General met with soldiers from Task Group 632, as guest of Rear Admiral Jaimie Hatcher AM RAN, Commander JTF633, at the Baghdad Diplomatic Support Centre.

Afterwards, His Excellency was officially farewelled from the Republic of Iraq by Mr Scott Kelleher, Charge D’Affaires, and Colonel Marcus Constable, Defence Attaché, at Baghdad International Airport.

In the evening, the Governor-General was officially welcomed to the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan by Mr Jeremy Guthrie, Charge D’Affaires, Australian Embassy in Afghanistan, and Brigadier Jane Spaulding, Commander Australian Task Group Afghanistan, at Harmid Karzai International Airport, Kabul.

Then, the Governor-General met with the men and women of Operation Highroad, as guest of Brigadier Jane Spalding, at Camp Grant, Kabul.

Earlier, the Governor-General was represented by the Administrator of the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia, Her Excellency the Honourable Linda Dessau AC, at the Melbourne Cup, as guest of Ms Amanda Elliott, Chairman, Victoria Racing Club, at which the Administrator presented the Melbourne Cup trophy, at Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne.