Canberra, ACT

n Wednesday 17 August 2016, at Government House, Canberra, the Governor-General, General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd) presided at a meeting of the Federal Executive Council.

In the morning, the Governor-General received from Her Excellency Dr Anna Elisabeth Prinz, Letters of Credence accrediting her as the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany. The Ambassador was accompanied by Mrs Susanne Körber (First Secretary) and Ms Marie Kronberg (First Secretary).

Afterwards, the Governor-General received from Her Excellency Mrs Erica Schouten, Letters of Credence accrediting her as the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The Ambassador was accompanied by Mr Arthur den Hartog (Deputy Head of Mission), Col Harold Jacobs (Defence Attaché) and Mr Hans Koenderink (Attaché). The Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove also received Mr Thomas Willibrordus Mascini.

Later, the Governor-General received from His Excellency Mr Fook Seng Kwok, Letters of Commission accrediting him as the High Commissioner for the Republic of Singapore. The High Commissioner was accompanied by Ms Lynette Long (Deputy High Commissioner), Mr Kevin Liew (Counsellor) and Mr Benedict Tan (First Secretary). The Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove also received Mrs Pearl Lee.

Then, the Governor-General received from His Excellency Mr Tha Aung Nyun, Letters of Credence accrediting him as the Ambassador of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar. The Ambassador was accompanied by Ms Khin Sandar (Deputy Head of Mission), Ms Khin Moe Htoo (Counsellor) and Mr Maw Bala (Counsellor). The Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove also received Mrs Mar Mar Kyaw.

In the afternoon, the Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove hosted a lunch in honour of newly accredited Heads of Mission. Guests included: Mr Mohammed Al-Jabir; His Excellency Mr Nasser Al-Khalifa; Mr Wei Cai; His Excellency Mr Jingye Cheng; Mr Arthur den Hartog; Mrs Susanne Körber; His Excellency Mr Fook Seng Kwok and Mrs Pearl Lee; His Excellency Mr Charles Lepani and Dr Katherine Lepani; Ms Lynette Long; His Excellency Mr Tha Aung Nyun and Mrs Mar Mar Kyaw; Her Excellency Dr Anna Elisabeth Prinz; Ms Lyndall Sachs; Ms Khin Sandar; Her Excellency Mrs Erica Schouten and Mr Thomas Willibrordus Mascini; and Mr Ric Wells.

Afterwards, the Governor-General met with students from Nhulunbuy Primary School, NT, as they undertook a tour of Government House as part of their visit to Canberra.

In the evening, at Parliament House, the Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove attended a reception in honour of the 50th Anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan and Australia's involvement in the Vietnam War reception, at which the Governor-General delivered an address.