On Friday 12 December 2008, at Government House, Canberra, the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC presided at a meeting of the Federal Executive Council.

In the morning, the Governor-General received the Secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr Michael L'Estrange AO. In the afternoon, the Governor-General received the Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia, His Excellency Mr Teuku Mohammad Hamzah Thayeb. Earlier, in Woden, Canberra, Mr Michael Bryce AM AE, as Patron of the Woden Senior Citizen's Club, officially opened Stage 1 of the Woden Seniors building development. Later, at Sydney International Airport, the Governor-General was represented at the departure from Australia by the President of the Fiji Islands, His Excellency Ratu Josefa Iloilovatu Uluivuda CF KStJ MBE JP, by Colonel William Monfries ADC, an Honorary Aide-de-Camp.