Canberra, ACT

On Wednesday 12 October 2016, at Government House, Canberra, the Governor-General, General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd), received from His Excellency Mr Grigory Logvinov, Letters of Credence accrediting him as the Ambassador of the Russian Federation. The Ambassador was accompanied by Mr Victor Chaykin (Counsellor), Ms Natalia Nefedova (Counsellor) and Ms Anna Kovach (Attaché). The Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove also received Mrs Irina Logvinova.

Afterwards, the Governor-General received from His Excellency Mr Lars Backström, Letters of Credence accrediting him as the Ambassador of the Republic of Finland. The Ambassador was accompanied by Mr Antti Niemela (First Secretary) and Ms Katri Doup (Attaché). The Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove also received Mrs Brigitta Backström.

Later, the Governor-General received from His Excellency Mr Pedro Zwahlen, Letters of Credence accrediting him as the Ambassador of the Swiss Confederation. The Ambassador was accompanied by Mr Daniel Haener (Deputy Head of Mission).

Then, the Governor-General received from His Excellency Mr Tom Nørring, Letters of Credence accrediting him as the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Denmark. The Ambassador was accompanied by Mr Ole Neustrup (Deputy Head of Mission). The Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove also received Mrs Claudia Papagianni.

Afterwards, the Governor-General received from His Excellency Mr Breandán Ó Caollaí, Letters of Credence accrediting him as the Ambassador of the Republic of Ireland. The Ambassador was accompanied by Ms Sarah Mangan (Deputy Head of Mission) and Mr Graham Hartnett (Second Secretary). The Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove also received Ms Carmel Callan.

Later, the Governor-General received from His Excellency Dr Bernhard Zimburg, Letters of Credence accrediting him as the Ambassador of the Republic of Austria. The Ambassador was accompanied by Mr Johannes Aigner (First Secretary) and Mr Helmut Bilonoha (Counsellor and Consul). The Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove also received Mrs Rashmi Zimburg.

Then, the Governor-General received from His Excellency Dr Ali Kraishan, Letters of Credence accrediting him as the Ambassador of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. The Ambassador was accompanied by Mr Hamzeh Al-Omari (Counsellor) and Mrs Eman Hashim (Second Secretary). The Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove also received Mrs Lubna Kraishan.

In the afternoon, the Governor General and Lady Cosgrove hosted a lunch in honour of newly accredited Heads of Mission. Guests included: Mr Johannes Ainger; His Excellency Mr Lars Backström and Mrs Brigitta Backström; Mr Justin Brown; Mr Daniel Haener; His Excellency Dr Ali Kraishan and Mrs Lubna Kraishan; His Excellency Mr Grigory Logvinov and Mrs Irina Logvinova; Ms Sarah Mangan; Ms Natalia Nefedova; Mr Ole Neustrup; Mr Antti Niemela; His Excellency Mr Tom Nørring and Mrs Claudia Papagianni; His Excellency Mr Breandán Ó Caollaí and Ms Carmel Callan; Ms Pamela O'Grady; Mr Moon Up Sung; His Excellency Mr Kyoung-ha Woo and Mrs Jinah Lee; His Excellency Mr Bernhard Zimburg and Mrs Rashmi Zimburg; and His Excellency Mr Pedro Zwahlen.

Earlier, the Governor General met with students from Sheldon College, QLD and Devonport Christian School, TAS, as they undertook a tour of Government House as part of their visit to Canberra.