Canberra, Australian Capital Territory

On Wednesday 7 August 2024, Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC received Letters of Credence accrediting His Excellency Mr Ali Saad Mohamed Habab Al-Hajri as the Ambassador of the State of Qatar. The Ambassador was accompanied by Ms Fatima Al-Khulaifi and Mr Abdulaziz Al-Nasr, Administrative Staff, Embassy of the State of Qatar.   

Then, the Governor-General received Letters of Credence accrediting His Excellency Mr Nikolas Stürchler Gonzenbach as the Ambassador of Switzerland. The Ambassador was accompanied by his spouse Mrs Barbara Gonzenbach, and Ms Rolf Urs Frei, Administrative Staff, Embassy of Switzerland.   

Later, the Governor-General received Letters of Credence accrediting Her Excellency Mrs Ingrid Dahl-Madsen as the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Denmark. The Ambassador was accompanied by her spouse Mr Jan Dahl-Madsen, and Mrs Lene Schumacher, Administrative Staff, Royal Danish Embassy.   

Afterwards, the Governor-General received Letters of Credence accrediting Her Excellency Ms Carolina Molina Barrantes as the Ambassador of Costa Rica. The Ambassador was accompanied by Mr Gonzalo Quesada Ledezma, Administrative Staff, Embassy of Costa Rica.   

Then, the Governor-General received Letters of Credence accrediting His Excellency Mr Jaan Reinhold as the Ambassador of the Republic of Estonia. The Ambassador was accompanied by his spouse Mrs Krista Reinhold, and Ms Merike Grunthal, Administrative Staff, Embassy of Estonia.   

Later, the Governor-General received Letters of Credence accrediting His Excellency Mr Seungseob Sim as the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea. The Ambassador was accompanied by his spouse Mrs Kyeongsuk Lee, and Mr Joyoung Jeon, Mr Jinbu Kim, Ms Hyun-jung Jung, Administrative Staff, Embassy of the Republic of Korea.  

Afterwards, the Governor-General hosted lunch for recently and newly accredited Heads of Missions. Guests included: Her Excellency Mrs Hellen Barber De La Vega, Acting Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and Ambassador of the Philippines; His Excellency Dr Wilson Kipngetich Kogo, High Commissioner for Kenya and Mrs Nancy Jerono Wendot; His Excellency Mr Ali Saad M. H. Al-Hajri, Ambassador of the State of Qatar and Ms Fatima Ali A. T. Al-Khulaifi, Deputy Head of Mission for the State of Qatar; His Excellency Mr Nikolas Johannes Stürchler Gonzenbach, Ambassador of the Switzerland and Ms Barbara Anna Gonzenbach; Her Excellency Mrs Ingrid Dahl-Madsen, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Denmark and Mr Jan Dahl-Madsen; Her Excellency Ms Carolina Molina Barrantes, Ambassador of Costa Rica and Mr Gonzalo Quesada Ledezma, Counsellor; His Excellency Mr Jaan Reinhold, Ambassador of Estonia and Mrs Krista Reinhold; His Excellency Mr Seungseob Sim, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea and Mrs Kyeongsuk Lee; Mr Roderick Brazier, Foreign Minister’s representative; Mr Arthur Spyrou, Chief of Protocol; and Ms Pamela O’Grady, Deputy Chief of Protocol, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.   

Then, the Governor-General met with students and teachers from Bennett Road Primary School, Colyton, New South Wales as they undertook a tour of Government House. 

In the evening, the Governor-General, as Patron, and as guest of Air Chief Marshal Sir Angus Houston AK, AFC (Ret’d), Board Chair, attended the Canberra Symphony Orchestra's performance of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony.