Canberra, Australian Capital Territory

On Thursday 13 May 2021, His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd) presided at a meeting of the Federal Executive Council.

Afterwards, the Governor-General received His Excellency Mr Mauricio Montalvo, Ambassador of Ecuador.

Later, the Governor-General and Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley hosted a presentation ceremony at which the National Emergency Medal was awarded to the late Firefighter Colin Burns (accepted by his partner, Ms Estrelita Cabacungan); the late Firefighter Mathew Kavanagh (accepted by Mr Chris Hardman, Chief Fire Officer, Forest Fire Management Victoria); the late Deputy Captain Geoffrey Keaton (accepted by his son, Mr Harvey Keaton, and brother, Mr Phillip Keaton); the late Firefighter Andrew O’Dwyer (accepted by his daughter, Ms Charlotte O’Dwyer, and wife, Mrs Melissa O’Dwyer); the Late Firefighter Samuel McPaul (accepted by his wife, Mrs Megan McPaul); the late Mr David Moresi, (accepted by his son, Mr Luke Moressi); the late Firefighter William Slade (accepted by his son, Mr Ethan Slade); the late Captain Ian McBeth, the late First Officer Paul Hudson and the late Flight Engineer Rick DeMorgan Junior (accepted on behalf of their families by Mr Michael Goldman, Charge d’Affaires, Embassy of the United States of America).

Then, the Governor General and Mrs Hurley hosted an Investiture Ceremony at which Lieutenant Colonel Tony Jensen (Retired) was invested with the Medal of Gallantry.

Afterwards, the Governor-General received Mr John Begley, Usher of the Black Rod, and Mr James Catchpole, Serjeant-at-Arms, for the presentations of condolence motions from the Senate and House of Representatives in honour of His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.