Canberra, ACT; Carwoola, NSW

On Tuesday 28 February 2017, at Government House, Canberra, the Governor-General, General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd), and Lady Cosgrove, following the passing of the late Paul Chen, attended a tree planting ceremony. Mr Chen worked as a gardener at Government House for 28 years.

Afterwards, the Governor-General received the President, Mr Tim Jackson, and Chief Executive Officer, Ms Adrienne Picone, of Volunteering Australia.

Later, at the Stoney Creek Community Hall, Carwoola, the Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove met with members of the response units to the Carwoola Fire.

Then, the Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove, as guests of Carwoola resident, Mr Peter Bavington, visited Mr Bavington’s property and viewed the extent of the fire damage.

In the afternoon, at Government House, Canberra, the Governor-General received Director of New Zealand Division, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr Chris Munn.

Afterwards, the Governor-General received the High Commissioner for New Zealand, His Excellency Mr Chris Seed; Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Parliament of New Zealand, The Right Honourable David Carter MP; and Clerk of the House of Representatives of the Parliament of New Zealand, Mr David Wilson.

Earlier, the Governor-General met with students from Hartwell Primary School, VIC, and St Andrew’s Lutheran College, QLD, as they undertook a tour of Government House as part of their visit to Canberra.