Visit to Weipa and Thursday Island

On Tuesday 30 July 2013, at the 51st Battalion Far North Queensland, Weipa, the Governor-General the Honourable Quentin Bryce AC CVO and Mr Michael Bryce AM AE, as guests of the Officer Commanding Bravo Company, Major Steven La Rose, received a briefing and met with Defence personnel.

Afterwards, at Western Cape College, the Governor-General and Mr Bryce, as guests of the Executive Principal, Mr Leon Proud and the Head of Campus, Mr Garry Hutchinson, met with students and attended a cultural performance.

Later, at the Gab Titui Cultural Centre, Thursday Island, the Governor-General and Mr Bryce, as guests of the Mayor of the Torres Strait Council, Councillor Napau Pedro Stephen, attended a Welcome to Country and viewed a traditional dance by students from Tagai College at a community reception.

Then, at James Cook University, the Governor-General and Mr Bryce, as guests of the Campus Coordinator, Mr Mark Mason, met with nurses and teachers studying at the university.

Afterwards, at the Joint Defence Facility, the Governor-General and Mr Bryce, as guests of the Officer Commanding Charlie Company from the 51st Battalion Far North Queensland, Major Jeffrey Martin, met with staff from Defence, Police, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Emergency Services.

Later, the Governor-General met with women leaders from the Mura Kosker Sorority, Torres Shire Council, Port Kennedy Association and Lena Passi Women’s Shelter.

Meanwhile, at the Torres Strait Heritage Museum, Mr Bryce, as guest of the President of Thursday Island Historical Society, Ms Lesley Peddell, viewed the Green Hill Fort museum.