On Friday 14 November 2008, at Government House, Sydney, the Administrator, Her Excellency Professor...

On Friday 14 November 2008, at Government House, Sydney, the Administrator, Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO presided at a meeting of the Federal Executive Council.

Afterwards, the Administrator accompanied by Sir Nicholas Shehadie AC OBE, on behalf of The Returned and Services League of Australia (New South Wales Branch), presented certificates to the winners of the Australia My Country Competition. Later, at the Castlereagh Inn, Sydney, the Administrator and Sir Nicholas, as guests of honour, attended a luncheon hosted by the Australian Monarchist League Inc to celebrate the 60th birthday of His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales. Then, at Government House, Sydney, the Administrator and Sir Nicholas hosted a reception at which the Administrator, as Patron, presented the Royal Humane Society Awards. In the evening, at Mosman Art Gallery, the Administrator officially opened the 13th Annual Redlands Westpac Art Prize. Earlier, at the Presidential Palace, Malta, the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC and Mr Michael Bryce AM AE were received by the President of Malta, His Excellency Dr Edward Fenech Adami and Mrs Mary Fenech Adami. Afterwards, at the Floriana War Memorial, the Governor-General and Mr Bryce, as guests of the Commander of the Armed Forces of Malta, Brigadier Carmel Vassallo CStJ RCDS AFM, laid a wreath at the Cenotaph in honour of those who have lost their lives in war. Later, at the Australian High Commission in Malta, the Governor-General and Mr Bryce, as guests of the Australian High Commissioner, His Excellency Mr Jurek Juszczyk, met with members of the Maltese community who have recently been approved for migration to Australia or Australian Citizenship. In the afternoon, at San Anton Palace, the Governor-General received the Leader of the Opposition in Malta, Dr Joseph Muscat. Afterwards, the Governor-General received the Prime Minister of Malta, Dr Lawrence Gonzi. Later, in the Palace Gardens, the Governor-General, as guest of the President of Malta, planted a tree to commemorate her State Visit to the Republic of Malta. In the evening, at the Presidential Palace in Valletta, the Governor-General and Mr Bryce, as guests of honour, attended a State Dinner hosted by the President of Malta. Earlier, at Brisbane International Airport, the Governor-General was represented at the arrival in Australia of the Governor-General of the Solomon Islands, His Excellency Sir Nathaniel Waena by Commander Forbes Peters