On Monday 15 December 2008, in Lightning Ridge, NSW, the Administrator Her Excellency Professor Mari...

On Monday 15 December 2008, in Lightning Ridge, NSW, the Administrator Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO and Sir Nicholas Shehadie AC OBE, as guests of the Acting Principal, Mr Ray Brooks, visited Lightning Ridge Central School.

Afterwards, at Lightning Ridge District Bowling Club, as guests of the Mayor of Walgett Shire Council, Councillor Ian Woodcock and Mrs Yvonne Woodcock, the Administrator and Sir Nicholas attended a community luncheon. Later, the Administrator and Sir Nicholas attended a ceremony at which the Administrator officially opened the Australian Opal Centre. Earlier, in Dili, Timor-Leste, the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC was received by the President of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, His Excellency Dr Jose Ramos-Horta. Afterwards, the Governor-General and Mr Michael Bryce AM AE met with the President of the National Parliament of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, His Excellency Mr Fernando Lasama de Araujo. Later, the Governor-General addressed the National Parliament of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste. Then, at the Palacio do Governo, the Governor-General met with the Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, His Excellency Mr Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao. Afterwards, at the Hotel Esplanada, the Governor-General attended a luncheon hosted in her honour by Her Excellency Madame Kirsty Sword Gusmao. In the afternoon, at Timor-Leste National University, as guests of the Rector, Dr Benjamin Corte-Real, the Governor-General held discussions with University Students on The Role of Higher Education in the Promotion of Equality. Afterwards, at the Hotel Timor, the Governor-General received the Secretary-General of Fretilin, Dr Mari Alkatiri. In the evening, at the President's Residence, the Governor-General and Mr Bryce attended a reception hosted in their honour by the President of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, His Excellency Dr Jose Ramos-Horta.