Sydney, Ballina, Empire Vale and Woodburn, New South Wales

On Thursday 10 March 2022, Their Excellencies General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd) and Mrs Linda Hurley travelled from Sydney, New South Wales, to Ballina, New South Wales.

On arrival, the Governor-General and Mrs Hurley, as guests of Councillor Sharon Cadwallader, Mayor, Ballina City Council, received a briefing on flood response and recovery efforts, and met with personnel involved in incident management and recovery co-ordination.

Later, the Governor-General and Mrs Hurley, as guests of Cr Cadwallader, met with members of the Uniting Church Ballina Food Bank.

Then, the Governor-General and Mrs Hurley, as guests of Cr Cadwallader, met with volunteers packing and distributing donations to community members.

Afterwards, the Governor-General and Mrs Hurley met with Ms Liz Hanns, Resident, Ballina, at her flood affected residence.

Later, the Governor-General and Mrs Hurley travelled to Empire Vale, where they met with small business owners and local sugar cane farmers impacted by flood damage.

In the afternoon, the Governor-General and Mrs Hurley, travelled to Woodburn, where as guests of Ms Jeanette Wilkins, Principal, they met with families impacted by recent floods at St Joseph's Primary School.

Afterwards, the Governor-General and Mrs Hurley, as guests of Mr Ashley Slapp, Acting Unit Commander, met with members of the New South Wales State Emergency Service Woodburn Unit.

Later, the Governor-General and Mrs Hurley returned to Ballina before travelling to Sydney.