Canberra, Australian Capital Territory

On Monday 9 August 2021, His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd), accompanied by Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley, received Letters of Credence accrediting His Excellency Mr Michel Goffin as the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium. The Ambassador was accompanied by Mrs Meagen Baldwin, Spouse, and Mr Arnaud Dusaucy, Deputy Head of Mission, Royal Belgian Embassy.

Afterwards, the Governor-General, accompanied by Mrs Hurley, received Letters of Credence accrediting His Excellency Mr Oscar Atehortua as the
Ambassador of the Republic of Colombia. The Ambassador was accompanied by Ms Adriana Correa, Spouse, Mrs Diana Carvajal, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of the Republic of Colombia, and Mr Javier Parada, Second Secretary/Officer-in-Charge of Consular Affairs, Embassy of the Republic of Colombia.

Later, the Governor-General, accompanied by Mrs Hurley, received Letters of Credence accrediting Her Excellency Ms Biljana Stefanovska Sekovska as the Ambassador of the Republic of North Macedonia.

Then, the Governor-General and Mrs Hurley hosted a lunch for newly accredited Heads of Mission. Guests included: His Excellency Mr Oscar Atehortua, Ambassador, Embassy of the Republic of Colombia, and Ms Adriana Correa, Spouse; Ms Diana Carvajal, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of the Republic of Colombia; His Excellency Mr Miguel Palomino De La Gala, Ambassador, Embassy of the Republic of Peru; Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and Mrs Teresita Daroca Capell, Spouse; Mr Arnaud Dusaucy, Deputy Head of Mission, Royal Belgian Embassy; His Excellency Mr Michel Goffin, Ambassador, Royal Belgian Embassy and Mrs Meagen Baldwin, Spouse; Mr Christopher Langman, Representing the Foreign Minister; Deputy Secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; Mr Ian McConville, Chief of Protocol, Department of Foreign Affairs And Trade; Mr Paul Singer MVO, Official Secretary to the Governor-General, and Her Excellency Ms Biljana Stefanovska Sekovska, Ambassador, Embassy of the Republic of North Macedonia.

Afterwards, the Governor-General and Mrs Hurley met with Ms Cate Campbell and Ms Emma McKeon, Australian Olympic Athletes, via video call.

Later, the Governor-General received Mr Colin Thomas, Regional Manager - Australian Capital Territory, Qantas Airways.