On Thursday 29 October 2009, at Government House, Canberra, the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC presided at a meeting of the Federal Executive Council.

Afterwards, the Governor-General and Mr Michael Bryce AM AE received the Australian Ambassador to the Republic of Bulgaria, Mr Jeremy Newman. Later, the Governor-General and Mr Bryce received the President of the Republic of Bulgaria, His Excellency Mr Georgi Parvanov and Mrs Zorka Parvanova. In the afternoon, the Governor-General and Mr Bryce hosted a State Lunch in honour of the President of the Republic of Bulgaria. Guests included: His Excellency Mr Krassimir Stefanov and Mrs Elena Stefanova; Mr Traicho Traikov; Mr Vezhdi Rashidov; Mr Plamen Nunev; Mr Nikola Kolev; Mrs Rumiana Bachvarova; Mr Emil Valev; Mrs Pavlina Popova; Mr Marin Raykov; Mr Ertan Kara; Professor Borislav Borisov; Mrs Boyka Bashlieva; Mr Angel Orbetsov; Mr Blagoi Blagoev and Mrs Nina Blagoeva; Senator Trish Crossin; Mr Jim Fogarty and Mrs Teresa Fogarty; Ms Valia Gianinska; the Honourable Justice William Gummow AC; Professor Stefan Kaneff and Ms llyana Kaneff; Dr Nikolas Kirov and Mr Michael Kirov; Senator the Honourable Jan McLucas; Mr Jeremy Newman; Her Excellency Mrs Marta Ortiz de Rosas and Mr Jorge Carvajal; the Very Reverend Alexander Popov; the Honourable Bruce Scott MP and Mrs Joan Scott; Dr Maria Staykova and Mr Ross Wilson; Vice Admiral Matthew Tripovich AM CSC RAN and Mrs Fay Tripovich; and Senator Russell Trood. In the evening, at the Melbourne Recital Centre, Mr Bryce attended the Australian Institute of Architects 2009 National Architecture Awards.